JAPAN'S NEXT ATTACK

Grey River Argus, 16 March 1942, Page 5

JAPAN'S NEXT ATTACK

India or Siberia ? CHINESE GENERAL’S COMMENT. (Rec. 7.30.) NEW YORK, March 13. The New York “Times’s” Chungking correspondent states: General Hsiung Shihshui, who is shortly flying to the United States, heading a Chinese military mission, declared in an interview: "Vladivostock is like a time-Jaomb in Japan’s belly. From considerations of history, geography, and personal military judgment, I believe that Japan will attack Siberian Russia as soon as possible—that is, unless Japan is diverted to India first, by the holepessness of India, through the failure of Britain and India to patch up their differences, and to present a co-opera-tive front against the Japanese. In this case, Germany would join the Japanese, by diverting her plans for 1 a Spring offensive against Russia to a drive to India, through Turkey and Iran. This would be most serious for China, since it would wholly cut off the supply route through India by way of Africa and the Indian Ocean. On the other hand, should Sir Stafford Cripns find a satisfactory solution of the Indian problem during his forthcoming visit, and form a united Indian front against aggression, the Jananese would then strike north before attempting an attack against India and Australia. A Japanese attack against Siberia would be designed not only to remove a threat of Russian bombers based on Vladivostock, but also to prevent American ’planes and ships using Siberian bases as stepping stones from Alaska. It is, therefore, imperative that preparations be made to meet an expected Japanese assault. China will give her utmost assistance bv land, if the Allies fur- | nish her with aerial support.