Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1942. KAI-SHEK’S MISSION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 February 1942, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1942. KAI-SHEK’S MISSION.

ZN view of the growing danger to Burma, as a result of the Japanese offensive, the visit of Marshal Chiang Kai-shek to India has assumed additional importance. One of his objectives is the working out in greater detail, with the military authorities, of plans already in operation for the purpose of aiding the Burmese defence. Burma has been described as one of the most important of China’s lifelines, since through it must pass much of the material needed to enable Chiang Kaishek’s armies to continue their operations against the Japanese. In the north and north-west of Burma is the Shan Plateau, which begins approximately 400 miles to the north of Rangoon, and which is part of the great Yunnan Plateau of China. Through the Shan Plateau runs what is known, as the Burma Road, from Lashio in the North Shan States to Kunming in Yunnan. The importance of this road is fully realised by the Japanese, who may be expected to make even-greater efforts to prevent its continued use by the Allies. Speaking at New Delhi, Pandit Nehru declared that, even if the Burma Road were cut, China, would not be crippled, as a new road from India to Chungking is nearing completion. The situation is changing so rapidly, however, that it is extremely doubtful whether the new route will be avaiable in time to be of value, particularly as it must be constructed through mountainous country, providing difficult problems for the engineers. It is to be hoped that the importance of Burma, both as the back door to China and as a potential base for an Allied counter-offensive, has not been realised too late.

So far as China is concerned, she has been welcomed as an important member of the anti-aggres-jsion bloc. In spite of inadequate i equipment, the Chinese have resisted the well-armed Japanese inevaders for over four years, and the recent victory at Changsha again demonstrated their ability as fighters. Aid to China is now proposed on a substantial scale, and, under the lease-lend scheme, Britain and the United States are to send to Chungking all the munitions it is possible to .supply, in addition to loans of £50,000,000 and 500,000,000 dollars. This aid should strengthen Marshal Chiang Kaishek’s hand to some purpose, with consequent greater influence on the Far East conflict. He is not lacking in manpower, millions bf men being available, but his forces are seriously handicapped by the

lack of aircraft, tanks, and heavy; guns. These munitions, however, must be delivered, and herein again lies the importance of the Burma Road. The Japanese threat to Burma is also a threat to India, and the need for co-operation with China is evident. One of the main reasons for the visit of Marshal Chiang Kai-shek is to promote that co-operation, and to secure a share of the war material which is being produced by India in steadily-in-creasing quantities. It is reassuring to have the statement of the Congress leader, that “in no circumstances are we going to submit or surrender to Japanese aggression. ’ ’ On this essential principle, thus, India and China are agreed. If Marshal Chiang Kaishek succeeds fully in his mission, the Japanese will find a serious stumbling-block in the path to their avowed objective,—the establishment of the Greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere.