Five-sixths Of Mew. Guinea Enemy-held

Northern Advocate, 15 March 1944, Page 3

Five-sixths Of Mew. Guinea Enemy-held

NEW YORK. March 14,

“It does not seem to be realised that so far the Allies have reconquered only about one-sixth of New Guinea,” says the “New York Times” in an editorial. “General MacArthur’s troops have cut a wide swathe along the north-eastern coast, but the Japanese still hold or at least control, the great bulk of the country. “This remains one of the basic facts of the Pacific war. New Guinea is Japan’s main defence for her stolen empire. The Japanese occupy the entire Dutch half of New Guinea and most of the two British territories. As long as they are there they imperil the base corridor we are opening up through the Admiraltys to the Philippines. Japan’s richest spoils, including the main oil supply, lie westwards of New Guinea. That is why the enemy, expelled from one base after another on the north-east coast, hurries to fortify another. We must capture Wewak before we are able to clear the threat to our flank and launch a new campaign in any direction. The New Guinea fighting, which often seems obscure, is thoroughly worth watching and great issues hang thereon.”