PACIFIC FRONT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25110, 29 December 1942, Page 3

PACIFIC FRONT

UNITED NATIONS’ PLANS PRESSURE FOR REVISION MONTREAL, Dec. 27. The Washington correspondent of the Christian Science Monitor, Mr Joseph Harsch, states: “Although the African campaign is far from being l in the bag,’ there is a noticeable increase in the pressure in certain quarters at Washington for revision of the United Nations’ war plans in the Pacific, and it may crystallise into a public campaign for the speeding up of the war against Japan. It is possible, however, that decisions have already been taken which will make the campaign unnecessary. “ The basic issue is the decision of the Anglo-American High Command to put Hitler first on the list of enemies and leave the Pacific as quiet as possible until Germany is overthrown. The arguments against this plan are mostly furthered by honest and valid reasons, but there are also groups which are not entirely disinterested. “The strongest public spokesman for paying more attention to Japan is the former. Ambassador at Tokio, Mr Joseph Grew, whose feelings are supported by many responsible military leaders, particularly in the navy, which is more Japan-con-scious than the army. This group contends that Japan’s economic and industrial condition is improving, except in shipbuilding and plane production. Furthermore, China is weakening as a result of the loss of the Burma Road. The British move into Burma might save Kunming, but it would be only a respite, and not a real solution, which could only come from the reopening of the Burma Road. “It is difficult to see how the Pacific war could be speeded up before the conclusion of the African campaign. Indeed, the reopening of ■the Mediterranean seems a prerequisite for the reopening of the Burma Road, but what could happen would be a longer period of siege in Europe before real attacks were made, thus releasing more equipment for the Pacific. “ It was originally planned to attack Enrope via the Balkans and Italy immediately after the African campaign, but with Africa in Allied hands it might conceivably be found safer to let Hitler stew in shortages than permit Japan to continue consolidating her conquests. Which course will be taken cannot be predicted, but it is a known fact that awareness of the Pacific is increasing in Washington.”