Prolonged Pacific War Theory Dangerous

Northern Advocate, 23 July 1943, Page 3

Prolonged Pacific War Theory Dangerous

NEW YORK, July 21

The “Herald-Tribune,” editorially commenting on statements by Vice-Admiral Horne, says: "If the present naval High Command docs not. know how Japan can be beaten in less than five years, it had better get out oi the way and let those who do take over the Navy Department. By suggesting that the Pacific war may drag on for years, supplies Tokio with material for the most disheartening sort of propaganda in China, and for the promotion of defeatism in every Oriental country, as well as India. The kind of war Mr. Horne suggests might indeed be tLe kind which will have to be fought if China gave up hope and collapsed, and, inflamed by Japanese agitation, were made worthless to the United Nations. If anything could achieve such disastrous results, it would be the consistent propagation of such nonsense as Admiral Herne's. The damage already done to the morale of Japan’s present and future Asiatic enemies will take lively undoing, and the quicker Colonel Knox gets to work on it the better.” “Long Time” To China After the first meeting of the Pacific War Council for several weeks, at. which President: Roosevelt reviewed Pacific operations, the Chinese Foreign Minister (Dr. Socng). acting as spokesman, was asked whether the council agreed with Admiral Horne’s view that the war would last to 1949. Dr. Soong replied: “That is anybody’s guess, but to us 1949 looks a long way off.”

The Director o£ War Mobilisation (Mr. Byrnes) was also asked about Admiral Horne's statement. Mr. Byrnes replied: “if anyone else is planning on that basis, I don’t" know who they are."