PRESS COMMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 3 July 1943, Page 5

PRESS COMMENT

PRELIMINARY TO BIGGER ACTIONS NAVAL ENGAGEMENT EXPECTED Washington, July 1. Present operations in the Pacific are a preliminary to even bigger actions. Tokio cannot avoid much longer another open test of sea power if it hopes to stem the co-ordinated American drive, says the correspondent of the Associated Press of America. The best Washington opinion feels that the Japanese are so fully committed to the maintenance of their perimeter defences in the South Pacific that they must be willing to risk a large part of their already battered fleet, hundreds of planes and many thousands of men. The “New York Times” correspondent here confirms the general impression that Bougainville Island—an important stepping-stone to Rabaul—is likely to be the next Allied objective in the Solomons. He adds it is assumed that Rabaul will later be the target for combined army and navy action under General Mac Arthur, whose planes have been pounding this key base.

Mr Stimson, War Secretary, at a Press conference said the Allied drive was making satisfactory progress. Strong Japanese resistance was expected. He disclosed that the offensive was planned at Washington during conferences several weeks ago.

The American as well as the British Press attach the highest importance to the Allied moves. Glenn Perry, writing in the New York “Sun” says the Japanese have abundant air strength within easy reach to make it a whale of a fight The “New York Times” publishes front page stories under the banner headline “MacArthur starts Allied offensive in the Pacific.”

Most of the London newspapers give prominence to the view that the latest Allied landings in the Solomons and the New Guinea area will compel Japan to risk a major naval action. “Japan can no longer avoid an open test of Seapower if she wants to avoid the loss of Rabaul,” says the “Evening Standard.”

The “Star” says: “A great naval engagement is expected in the Solomons soon because the Japanese must resist the Allied pincer movement with all their power.” “This is the most encouraging news we have yet received from the Pacific,” comments the “Daily Mail,” in an editorial. “It shows that as well as holding the initiative the Allies can now dispose considerable strength in the area. It shows that the war from the east to west is one war to be fought offensively around all the world. It is sound strategy to occupy the Japanese while our plans for the European offensive are maturing. These new landings show what Mr Churchill meant what he said when he told the United States Congress that British commanders in the Far East had not travelled to Washington to concern themselves with the health and happiness of the Mikado.—P.A.