WAR AGAINST JAPAN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIII, Issue 24, 28 December 1942, Page 2

WAR AGAINST JAPAN

U.S. WANTS TO SPEED-UP.

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) (9.5 a.m.) MONTREAL, Dec. 27. The Christian Science Monitor’s Washington correspondent Mr Harsch, says that although the African campaign is far from being “in the bag,” there is a noticeable increase in pressure in certain quarters at Washington for a revision of the United Nations’ war plans in the Pacific. This may crystallise into a public campaign for speeding the war against Japan. However, it is possible that decisions have already been taken which may make the campaign unnecessary. _ The basic issue of the decision of the Anglo-American High Command is to put Hitler first on the list of enemies and leave the Pacific as quiet as possible until Germany, is overthrown. Arguments against this plan are mostly furthered by honest and valid reasons, but also by groups which are not entirely disinterested. The strongest public spokesman for paying moro attention to Japan is the former Ambassador to Japan, Mr Grew, whose feelings- are supported by many responsible military leaders, particularly the navy, which is more Japan-conscious than the army. They contend that Japan’s economic and industrial condition is improving, except for shipbuilding and plane production. Furthermore. China is weakening as the result of the loss of the Burma Road. The British move in Burma might save Kunming, but was only a respite and not a real solution, which could only come from reopening the Burma Road, Dir Harsch says. It is difficult to see how the Pacific war could be speeded up before a conclusion of the African campaign; indeed the re-opening of the Mediterranean seems a prerequisite of the reopening of the Burma Road, but what could happen would be a longer period in the siege of Europe before the real attacks were made, thus releasing more equipment for the Pacific. Tt was assumed originally that a planed attack on Europe via the Balkans and Italy would be mado immediately after the African campaign, but with Africa in Allied hands it might conceivably be found safer to let Hitler stew in his shortages than permit Japan to continue consolidating her conquests. Which course, will be taken is not predictable, but it is a known fact that awareness of the Pacific is increasing in Washington.