REQUESTS FOR AID

Otago Daily Times, Volume 25205, Issue 25205, 20 April 1943, Page 3

REQUESTS FOR AID

THE AUSTRALIAN FRONT DEBITS AND CREDITS NEW YORK, Apl. 18. Washington’s restraint regarding the Pacific situation is less firm so tar as Australia is concerned. Some comments say that Australia has some credit items on her side in the Washington ledger, as follows: First, she has evened the lend-lease books, and, indeed, provided America with more than America has provided ner. Secondly, she has granted America most-favoured-nation treatment. But there are also some debit items. Washington is not satisfied while Australian conscripts are still restricted to the Australian area, whereas American conscripts are. sent around tne world, including Australia. Return of Ninth Division Furthermore, Washington feels that Australia was pressing her credit pretty far when she recently insisted on the return of the celebrated Ninth Division from the Middle East. This transfer was made over a strong protest from London and Washington and at the expense of shipping wanted elsewhere. After having reluctantly acquiesced in the matter of the Ninth Division, official Washington is inclined to view Australia as distinctly “ out of order ” in being so vocal about its apprehensions. "It is axiomatic that Japan will never rest until she has conquered both Australia and Siberia, but the recent agreement with Russia (renewal of the fisheries lease) suggests that the stroke which she is now preparing will not be directed against Siberia.” Indicating this as a strong implied threat to Australia, the New ¥ork Times says in an editorial that it is unfortunate that America’s decisiop to reinforce the Pacific came only after repeated public appeals by General MacArthur and Australian statesmen. Marked Differences “These not only revealed marked differences of opinion between Australian and Pacific military leaders and the service authorities in Washington, but also precipitated a controversy which has had regrettable political overtones,” the New York Times adds. “The loss of Australia would mean the loss of the Pacific war. As Japanese action depends to a large extent on the size of our Pacific forces, nobody can deny the need for the reinforcements promised by Mr Stimson.” An article by Mr Joseph fiarsch severely criticising Australia for repeated requests for aid, which appeared in the first edition of the Christian Science Monitor, was withdrawn from the later editions. In the article which replaced it Mr Harsch said: ” Behind the Australian alarms is the obvious and valid consideration that the Japanese- have spent the winter recuperating and re-forming. We must assume that they are now in a position to attempt another major move. There are good grounds for the Australian contention that the Australian front is one of several in the Pacific which may bear the brunt of the next Japanese attack. In brief, there is a very real Japanese threat over the Pacific. But this threat is general, and not specific.”