The Times FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1945. And Now Japan

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 110, 11 May 1945, Page 4

The Times FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1945. And Now Japan

VE Day meant just that—Victory in Europe. For the world as a whole it does not mean peace. There is,still Japan. This fact is clearly appreciated by the New Zealand public. The Pacific war does not mean the same to all the Allies. For Belgium, for Norway, for Greece and for .others the war is over. For Britain and Holland, it is largely over in that relief has been gained from bomb attacks and from occupation. Both are, however, deeply concerned to see Japan defeated.

But still more concerned with unconditional surrender for the Laud of the Rising Sun —to make of it “a setting sun”—are those nations bordering on the Pacific Ocean, China, America, Australia and New Zealand. Doubtless for this good reason the question is frequently asked: “How long will it take to defeat Japan?” The answer is not to be readily guessed, for it depends on a number of imponderables, perhaps, above all, upon the Japanese. Will they continue to fight on as did the Germans or decide to submit for the purpose of saving- the material resources of their country?

But even should that course be finally adopted, it is almost certain that the enemy will have to be hammered hard for a considerable period before he will appreciate- the wisdom of such a policy.

Another point for consideration is: What will Russia do? She has notified Japan that the mutual pact between the two countries will not be continued, as from a year hence, that is after April 25, 1946. That means that for almost a year to come Russia could not attack Japan without breaking the treaty conditions. But ways can be found to meet that case.

Russia has a strong base on the Pacific at Vladivostok just 500 miles from Japan. That is a long way from Tokio. Okinawa is much closer at 350 miles. In any case, Siberia lies under threat of one of Japan’s most powerful armies. Russia is believed to covet Manchukuo and Korea but she may not wish to become involved in another war while so much reconstruction is required on her homeland.

In any case Japan can be well beaten, and with but little longer required for the task, by the Pacific Allies acting- without' Russia. It might be as well to reckon that Russian assistance will be seen only when the enemy’s power of resistance has been greatly weakened.

The third great question bearing- upon the duration of the war in the Pacific is whether or not an invasion will have to be made on the homeland. Japan is a series of islands only about the size oi Britain, but peopled by 77,000,000 people compared with Britain’s 47,000,000. Japan cannot feed all her people and so she might be starved into surrender by naval and air blockade with the end hastened by a bombing offensive stepped up vastly from the weight so far attained. But with Japan holding- a thousand miles and more of the adjacent Chinese coastline just across the narrow seas a successful blockade might prove very difficult.

For this reason alone there will be an almost certain need for a huge Allied landing on the China coast as a prerequisite to the defeat of Japan. Three other causes for such an invasion of China may be mentioned: The need to defeat the Japanese armies there that China may be freed; the need to gain bases for the all-out bombing of Japan; and, then finally, to deprive the enemy of resources necessary to his military and economic existence, the metals and foodstuffs of Manchukuo in particular.

With the Philippines reconquered, the Japanese Navy bottled up and American air power dominant in the China Sea, the stage appears now set for a D Day on China. What delay there may be will come from the necessity of accumulating supplies and armv divisions appropriate to the task.

There is no doubt as to-the Allies’ ability to defeat Japan 1 here is ample manpower and the material resources are overwhelming. Problems of transport and of logistics will be the ones to determine how long this war will last. Plaving- regard to their magnitude, Japan might not be defeated within two years. The th* t come much earlier, but it would be unwise to count on

The prosecution of the Pacific war will not, however, entail the strain on the Allied peoples that has been experienced these past five years. It will partake more of a frontier campaign albiet one of tremendous magnitude. Even while it is being waged a large degree of normalcy could and should be restored.