ENEMY PREPARATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25215, 3 May 1943, Page 2

ENEMY PREPARATIONS

LARGE-SCALE OPERATIONS (Rec, 11 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 2. Japan is preparing for unparalleled large-scale operations by all her forces, states the Tokio radio. The Japanese press chief, General Yahagi, says Japan has completed the establishment of strategic bases north and north-east of Australia, including Timor, New Guinea, and the Solomons. Australia, he declared, was in an extremely nervous condition, anticipating these operations, for which the new bases would pave the way. The New York journal American says that if the Japanese offensive engulfs the Pacific outposts it will not be because Washington lacked information. “A long procession of military leaders—Americans, Australians, and New Zealanders—have trekked to Washington describing the danger and pleading for help,” says the paper. Colonel Kaye, aide to the Governor of Hawaii, Mr Stainbeack, says the danger is so terrific and so immediate in the Pacific that its real nature cannot be disclosed

until steps are taken to meet it. “I do not know whether the Japanese intend to attempt an invasion of Australia, nor does anyone else, said the Australian Minister of External ' Affairs, Dr H. V. Evatt, to-day. “But the possibility cannot be excluded and must be guarded against.” He added that, the Allies would counter with new blows against Japan. The Berlin radio says the world is on the eve of very important decisions in the North Pacific. It adds: “The Aleutians will soon become a major battle area. The Japanese are thoroughly consolidating their bases before launching large-scale operations. The Americans are also feverishly concentrating on the completion of their bases in the Aleutians, All the signs indicate that American preparations for a counter-offensive against the Japanese are nearing completion.”