Some Think Burma Can Be By-Passed

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1944, Page 3

Some Think Burma Can Be By-Passed

(Rec. 1 0.m.) NEW YORK, March 13. Since the statement of Admiral Nimitz about opening a port on the China coast, strategists who think Burma can be bypassed by cutting the Malay Peninsula, have been acquiring confidence, says the Chungking correspondent of the “New York Times.”

They believe Burma can be taken almost without a fight if Thailand, Malaya and the Netherland Indies ai'e dissected. The strategists think that the Burma Road has become a fetish and even if it is opened, appreciable deliveries over it could not be started soon enough to justify fighting in the Burma jungles. The correspondent adds that China’s worries will not be over when Admiral Nimitz opens a port. Therefore, American policy here demands that the Chinese army must be trained and re-equipped to help to open a port from the land side and fighS the Japanese after this. All this requires land transport. General Stilwell still believes that the Burma Road must be re-opened and Lord Mountbatten Is supporting his plans. A ’small number of raiders yesterday dropped a few bombs in Silchar area. Assam. First reports indicate that casualties and damage were very slight, says a New Delhi message. Marking the anniversary of the 14th air Force, General Chennault declared: “From now on we are going to give the Japanese the real thing. The first year lias been merely a demonstration.” General Stilwell has sent the following message from Burma: “Your air force is no wa pretty rought young man. A year ago it was an undernourished baby. When it gets to full growth, it will be the most unpopular thing in Japan, judging from its past record.” Marshal Chiang Kai-shek sent a message thanking General Chennault and his men for giving hope to the Allied peoples.