PACIFIC SETBACKS

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1942, Page 6

PACIFIC SETBACKS

Australia’s Danger BRITISH VIEWS STATED

LONDON, May 19. The “Daily Express,” in a leading article, says: We cannot write on Australia as America’s business, any more than we can write off the defeat of Hitler as Stalin’s business. The urge to attack Hitler is burning in the people of Britain. We are not demanding a second front in Europe as a reprisal front. We ask it deliberately as it means beating the Axis. “A - Japanese invasion of Australia would be the bitterest blow the Empire has yet had to take. The invasion of Australia is no longer a choice for the Japanese. It is a necessity! They must smash the Allied hammer in Australia before it is big enough to reach out, and use the East Indies as its anvil. The Japanese war machine must be stopped and broken by the Allied forces m Australia before it has a chance to land.” After it was stated in the Commons that Mr. Churchill was unlikely to take part in the debate on the war situation, unless some point arose with which he thought he ought to deal, Mr. Attlee opened by referring to the setbacks in the Pacific area. He said: “The Japanese as a result of our losses, are in a position to strike out in various directions. Not having command of the sea, we are inevitably in a weak strategic position at present. With islands scattered around the Indian and Pacific Oceans, it was obviously impossible to provide adequate forces at every point. It would be equally unsound to concentrate on one area before Japan revealed her main objective. However, we must strengthen vital points and hold positions from which later to launch an offensive.” Mr. Attlee said it was not clear which way the main Japanese thrust would strike. It might be China, India, Ceylon, Australia, or New Zealand. The battle of the Coral Sea had inflicted a severe check, as had the defeated raid on Ceylon, but the threat to Australia remained. He said the British should have the utmost sympathy with the people of Australia, who were facing the 1 possibility of invasion. They were kith and kin and the natural impulse was to send every possible help, as Australia and New Zealand were lavish in their help to Britain. The Allies must consider the best way to reinforce Australia. It is far easiei’ to send American forces than British, and this was recognised m the discussions between the .United States and Britain. The United States had sent large forces to Australia, but American acceptance of that responsibility did not mean any indifference on the part of Britain, or any shirking of responsibilities. Britain was ready when the need arose, to run any risk for the defence of Australia. Common sense and sound strategy must apply, and support sent from where it was most readily available. Strength was steadily piling up under the leadership of General MacArthur, and if Japan attacked Australia she would get a warm reception. Mr Greenwood said that while it was vital for the United States to give assistance to Australia, it would be a great gesture, if Britain could give more direct aid, which would inspire the Australians and be a small measure in return for what the Australian forces had done for Britain. Mr. Churchill’s speech at Leeds indicated that an offensive on a second front was contemplated, but the Government must be certain before the signal was given, that there was an ample and overpowering flow of war materials to sustain troops, make good the losses, and build reserves.

JAPAN’S AIR FORCE

NEW YORK, May 19. The Tokio official radio says: The War Ministry has announced that, in recognition of the growing importance of the aerial arm in modern warfare, Army Air Force headquarters will be established on June 1, under the command of General Tobe, who is appointed by the Emperor.

naval strength

LONDON, May 20. Jane’s 1941 edition of Fighting Ships, published to-day, reveals that the German navy has done practically nothing to replace its losses hi capital ships and cruisers. Italy, with half her original cruiser fleet gone, is not believed to have received any substantial reinforcement from ships under construction, pre-

sumably owing to a shortage of steel and other metals. The United States has now the greatest quantity of capital ship tonnage under construction of any country in history. Six 35,000-ton Washington class battleships have been launched, of which two are in service. Six 45,000-ton lowa class and five 58,000-ton Montana class battleships are either under construction or are being laid down. The first of the six battle-cruisers of the Alaska class was laid down in December, 1941. Eleven aircraft-carriers and 40 cruisers are also being constructed, while the number of destroyers being built challenges comparison with the 1918 programme. Britain has lost 70 destroyers, but Jane’s lists 84 new destroyers and over 175 corvettes.