The Grey River Argus WEDNESDAY, May 17, 1944. PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1944, Page 4

The Grey River Argus WEDNESDAY, May 17, 1944. PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

It- must be assumed that the offensive iu Italy, although proceeding satisfactorily, is only secondary to the second front strategy, or rather, an integral factor. The Gustav Line is well cracked, and the notable part of 'the French forces illustrates their alacrity to use the opportunity on behalf of the morale of their countrymen generally. The Ger. mans are convinced all is ready for the invasion, their latest raids being directed at invasion transport and other preparations. No justification, however, is offered by the war situation for those who want already to do away with wartime controls. In Australia and New Zealand there have been mild agitations in that direction. Many people are only hampering the authorities by their complaints that regulations point to a permanent regimentation Nothing of the kind is in contemplation, but the Avar situation still demands as complete regulation of the national economy, both in manpower disposition and industrial control as at any earlier stage. Apart from the Italian front and the air offensive, there is something of a lull, especially on the Eastern front while the situation on the Far Eastern front does not look momentarily as good as it recently did. The enemy certainly is getting nowhere in Burma, but still will take a lot of punishment there. In the Pacific it must be assumed that the Americans are cooking up a fresh attack, and they have now greater need than ever to do so quickly. The Japanese are preparing further resistance in Dutch New Guinea, though it can only be of a desperate delaying variety. But the situation in China has very rapidly and seriously deteriorated. After seven years’ of warfare the Chinese Army is not in good shape. There is disunity as between the Government of Marshal Chiang Kaishek and the Communist regime which shares considerably in the control of the country. The suggestion that Chinese resistance may entirely collapse need not be credited, and it is not for the Allies to criticise the Chinese, see* ing the very great extent to which they have been left to their own resources. It is remarkable that they have kept up the fight so well. Perhaps the American reports that a collapse is possible may presage a bigger stroke on the part of Admiral 'Nimitz. The danger if the Japanese presently capture Loyang is that they will have a reliable inland line of communications for their campaigns further south, including Burma and the East Indies. Allied sea and air superiority has over strained Japanese sea transport, and it has possibly been .a disappointment that the effect could not have been extended to the mainland. Nevertheless the Japanese are now apprehensive of American air bases being moved nearer their country for direct bombing attacks. The American plan for eventual landings in China is in process of being forestalled by the Japanese. Unless the Allies forward supplies to sustain resistance in China, the ivar against Japan will last only the longer. At anyrate, a speedy decision is not indicated, and those who resent Avar time controls must reconcile themselves to that prospect.