AMERICAN CRITICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24718, 19 October 1943, Page 4

AMERICAN CRITICS

! SENATORS' CHARGES i EFFECT IN BRITAIN PUBLIC DISTURBED FRIENDSHIP PREJUDICED 23v Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright SYDNEY, Oct. M The whole question of the charges by the five American senators is now under consideration in London, and the Dominions are to be consulted, says the London correspondent of ,the Melbourne Herald. One charge is that the Australian press, like the British, in reporting the war, has given credit to British and Australian forces for American victories. The senators raise other issues directly affecting the Dominions generally, and Australia particularly, by demanding that the United States, jitter the war, must hold Pacific outposts. The most damaging charges, in sensational language, are made against Britons. One charge is that "vast reserves of British forces are idle in India." Facing the Situation There is no longer a disposition in London to treat the situation with silent tolerance, or to believe that all will be right in the end. It is realised that much is at stake, and that it is imperative to face the situation, both in the interests of British and American relations, and the war eflort. Britain's effective prosecution of the war depends vitally on lease-lend supplies. particularly raw materials and food. Britain, even with greatly expanded home production, imports fiom the Dominions and lease-lend supplies, is still on a minimum food standard. Indeed, the heavy -workers' diet is inadequate, and any reduction of American food supplies might have appalling consequences. Heavy workers are already asking the Government for additional rations.

Raw Materials Needed It is similarly imperative that Britain should continue to receive certain raw materials from America for armaments, besides the finished article. Politically, the situation is equally disturbing. There is a universal desire here for the closest possible relations ■with America. Indeed, nothing would give greater joy than a lasting understanding, for which Mr. Churchill has eo often striven. However, the American senators' charges imperil all this and disturb and anger the public gravely. . American newspaper correspondents in London have been quick to realise this and, noting that the unhappy 'business occurs on the eve of the conferences in Russia, they are warning America that nothing is more calculated to drive Britain into Russia s arms. CONSUMPTION OF GAS AUSTRALIAN ECONOMIES (Reed. 11.45 p.m.) SYDNEY. Oct. 18 Prom next Monday housewives will be asked to reduce gas consumption by 2H per cent. They will be put on their honour to cut consumption in preference to a time-rationing system. Industrial users are to reduce consumption by 12i per cent. Other plans to reduce coal consumption include a reduction in street lighting and interior chop lighting. The Federal Government is considering the use of the Civil Construction Corps to operate open cuts to maintain coal supplies. It is stated that open cuts would not require skilled operatives. FIJI'S WAR EFFORT TROOPS READY TO FIGHT '(Reed. 5.85 p.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. IS Thirty-four per cent of Fiji's adult male population are in the forces, according to the Governor of Fiji, MajorGeneral Sir Philip Mitchell. "The Fijians like soldiering and hate the Japanese," he said. Sir Philip, who hopes to link a brigade of Fijian troops with the Third New Zealand Division now in the Solomon Islands, is at present consulting with Admiral W. F. Halsey and Lieutenant-General M. Harmon. "The Japanese failed completely to turn the natives against us by playing the colour game." he said "There is intense hatred of the Japanese even among primitive Solomon Islanders. As we go north in the Central Pacific 1 do not. think we shall find any native support for the enemy."

PACIFIC AIR WAR AWARDS TO AMERICANS (0.C.) SOUTH PACIFIC BASE. Oct. 17 The names of Major-General Nathan Twining, commanding oliieer of the 13th United States Air Force, and i3rigadier-Generul Dean C. Strother, United States Army, are in the list of the latest Air Medal awards made by Lieutenant-General Millard I l '. Harmon, commanding United States Army Forces in this area. General Twining's award results from his successtul conduct of a crash landing in the Solomons area on January 26 of a four-engine heavy bombardment plane, which could not reach its destination on account of -storms. The preparations made at his direction were so thorough and complete that all fifteen ot the personnel aboard were successfully transferred to life raits, and thereafter he carried his men through six trying days at sea. in such manner that all were restored to duty soon after rescue. .Brigadier-General Strother receives the Air Medal for hazardous flights in the South Pacific, where, as commanding officer of the 13th A.A.F. lighter command, he was called on to visit the various locations at which his fighter units were stationed. On one occasion, when the plane in which he was Hying was forced to make a night landing at sea, he performed the duties of command pilot in a manner that materially contributed to the rescue of the crew. In the supervision and training ol the personnel under his control, he often made test flights in newlv-assembled fighter aircraft to instruct pilots in the methods of effective air tactics against the enemy in this area. The citation adds that his skill immeasurably contributed to the efficiency of units under him. SKILL AND DARING ENEMY WARSHIPS BOMBED (0.C.) SOUTH PACIFIC BASF. Oct. J 7 While Captain Lloyd E. Whitley, of the 13th United States Army" Air Force, was on a mission to locate and destroy an enemy naval task force in the Solomon Islands area, he sighted three Japanese combat vessels travelling in line 300 feet apart. In spite of ft curtain of automatic-weapons lire rising from all three vessels, he determined to have a try at destroying the entire force with his three oOUlb. bombs. Attacking at masthead level, he - —made his run from astern over the targets. The last vessel received a bomb near its stern, while the second vessel caught a direct hit. The last bomb was a < hit or near miss on the leading ship. The sinking of one of the Japanese ships was confirmed, as was damage to the two others. But as a result of enemy fire, a forced landing at sen was imperative. This was executed without injury to any of the crew. lor his daring and determination in this affair, Captain Whitley has'just been awarded the Silver Star by Lien-tenant-General Millard F. Harmon.