DEFEAT OF JAPAN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21385, 21 April 1944, Page 3

DEFEAT OF JAPAN

MAY TAKE FIVE YEARS POST-WAR PLANS IN EAST U.S. JOURNALIST’S VIEW (10.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, April 20. The manager of the United Press in the Far East, Mr. K. Morris, who has arrived from the Orient, gives a composite picture of the situation which ne obtained from high military, political and diplomatic figures. First, the defeat of Japan will require three to five years after the defeat of Germany, mainly because the Japanese have developed extensive war industries and most powerful military bases on the Asiatic mainland. Secondly, the Japanese drive towards India is spectacular but only of limited importance. The enemy is simply attempting a strong thrust to counter the British and American operations in north Burma. Thirdly, the United States will be the dominant Pacific Power after the war. It is taken for granted that the United States will retain permanent control of the mandated islands. Fourthly, British power will certainly be restpred in Burma, Malaya,. Singapore, and Hongkong. The Dutch are to regain the East Indies and China will share leadership in Asia with Britain and Russia, while Japan will be reduced to a third-class Power. , Fifthly, the establishment of a stable peace will tax Allied statesmanship to the utmost. However, successful Allied collaboration in Europe after the defeat of Germany should mean an equally successful pattern in Asia.