Fighting Weather Has Come In South Pacific

Northern Advocate, 29 June 1943, Page 3

Fighting Weather Has Come In South Pacific

NEW YORK, June 28. “Fighting weather has come again in the Southern Pacific area. The initia-" tive is ours and we must use it soon.” This statement is made editorially by the “New York Times,” which points out that ground fighting in the area has been virtually suspended since February, while Allied strength has been greatly built up in the intervening period. The paper points out that last week’s sharp Japanese thrust in Mubo area, Neiw Guinea, suggests that General MacArthur’s forces are in a position to open a campaign for the capture of Salamaua and Lae and then push on up the coast until they have control of Vitiaz Strait between New Guinea and New Britain. The “New York Times” military writer (Mr. Hanson Baldwin) says that the Allies now probably have the necessary naval strength in the South Pacific plus ground and air strength, to carry through an offensive operation. Salamaua, Lae He declares that Salamaua and Lae ought to be cleaned out as a necessary preparation to conquering or neutralising Rabaul. This should be done whether or not Southern Pacific areas are to become offensive. The obvious approaches to Rabaul, he says, are from North New Guinea coast and from Tulagi and Guadaicanar in the Solomons.

Discussing the Southern Pacific situation the London “Times” says editorially, that Japanese defences are very strong. The paper also anticipates early resumption of land fighting, declaring that the presence of formidable Japanese strength so close to Australia still constitutes a danger to Australia’s outpost defences which the Allies have good reason for liquidating.