FAR EAST MOVES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26246, 2 September 1946, Page 5

FAR EAST MOVES

RUSSIA'S INTENTIONS

DISQUIETING SITUATION

(Rec. 9 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Aug. 31. The House Military Committee delegation of six members, which is touring Japan is very concerned over Russians intentions and urged that the United States’ position in the Pacific be strengthened. The Associated Press says the delegation was startled by a confidential high command report on the Far Eastern military and diplomatic situation. Representative R. L, Sikes declared Russia’s Far Eastern armies were five times greater than the American occupation strength. The abandonment of overseas bases acquired during the war at great cost in lives and money, particularly at points where they would be commercially useful in peace-time and have strategic military importance in another emergency, is condemned in a report of the Senate committee appointed to investigate national defence. The report urges the reacquisition of overseas bases and declares that the War, Navy and State Departments should have prepared plans before the end of the war to utilise bases necessary for United States defence and should have applied the full weight of the nation’s bargaining power in the execution of those plans. Senator J. M. Mead, who succeeded Mr Truman as chairman of the committee, commented on the report that until international peace machinery was perfected, it was essential that the United States should maintain a strong national defence.