THE ALEUTIAN INVADERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24969, 16 July 1942, Page 4

THE ALEUTIAN INVADERS

Japanese forces of uncertain strength have now been in occupation of the westernmost islands of the inhospitable Aleutian chain for a month. The landings were effected at considerable cost, United States naval units, which intercepted the Japanese convoys, having accounted for several naval craft and transports. Such news as has since been received indicates that some consolidation has been attempted by the occupying forces, but they have been constantly and severely harassed by American war vessels and aircraft. The most recent Japanese claim, that a large convoy, escorted by cruisers and destroyers, has reached the islands without encountering enemy interference, is probably correct, if allowance may be made for some exaggeration as to the size of the flotilla. The fog-bound, dangerous nature of the Aleutian chain, which tongues south and west from Alaska for more than 1100 miles,-.makes it possible, provided suitable weather is chosen, that shipping movements may be carried out in conditions that virtually preclude detection. But there is nothing Fabian about the United States naval and military policy for dealing with this impudent invasion of American territory. A report issued in Washington last week contained the assurance that the Japanese are being made to pay, and pay practically unceasingly, in spite of bad weather, for their audacity. Ships, bases and shore installations at Attu and Kiska are being attacked from the air and the sea, and measures are being taken to bring the occupied islands into the range of fighter planes, which cannot operate effectively against them from the most advanced of the established United States bases, at Dutch Harboui. The Government of Canada is co-operating with the United Slates in meeting Japan’s tentative move towards the North American continent. Both Canadian Army forces and Air Force squadrons are now operating in Alaska, and there is word that a railway which eventually will link the United States wdth Alaska, complementing the trans-Canadian highway now under construction, is being pushed through to completion. The material advantages which the Japanese may hope to obtain from their tenuous foothold in the farthest Aleutian

islands may well prove illusory, unless they can develop an offensive against Alaska, That, however, does not seem likely. Their opportunities of operating against shipping on the west coast of the continent from the Aleutians must be limited by weather conditions, and must be subject to constant, danger from United States and Canadian patrols. The best explanation of the landings, therefore, is that they are of a de-fensive-offensive nature. The Alaskan route offers the United States, in co-operation with Russia, a strategic approach to Japan itself by sea and air, which the Japanese may hope—somewhat vainly, in the present circumstances —to forestall. Aleutian bases might be of value in hampering the liaison to some extent between the United States and the Souet, should Japan decide to strike at Siberia. The vigorous action which the United States is taking against the usurpers in the Aleutians should ensure that they derive no benefit from their attempt to establish themselves there that would be commensurate with the losses they sustain.