REVISE PACIFIC WAR PLANS

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXI, Issue 15237, 30 December 1942, Page 4

REVISE PACIFIC WAR PLANS

AMERICAN PAPER’S DEMAND. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—t'o pyriglit. MON TREAD, December 27. The Christian Science Monitor’s Washington correspondent, Mr JELarsch, says that although the African campaign is far from being £ ‘in the bag, there is a noticeable increase in pressure in certain quarters in Washington for a revision of the United Nation’s war plans in the Pacific. This may crystallise into a public campaign for speeding the war against Japan. However, it is possible that decisions have already been taken which may make the campaign unnecessary The basic issue of the decision of the Anglo-American Higli Command is to put Hitler first on the list of enemies and leave the Pacific quiet as possible until Germany is overthrown. Arguments against this plan are mostly furthered by honest and valid reasons, but also by a few groups which are not entirely disinterested. The strongest public spokesman for paying more attention to Japan is the former Ambassador to Japan, Mr Grew, whose feelings are supported by many responsible military leaders, particularly the navy, which is more Japan-conscious than the army. They contend that Japan’s economic and industrial condition is improving, except for shipbuilding and plane production. Furthermore, China is weakening as the result of the loss of the Burma Road. The British move in Burma might save Kunming, but was only a respite and not a real solution, which could only come from reopening the Burma Road. Mr Harscli says. It is difficult to see bow the Pacific war could be speeded up before a conclusion of the African campaign; indeed the re-opening of the Mediterranean seems a pro-requisite to the re-opening of the Burma Road, but what could happen could be a* longer period in the siege of Europe before the real attacks were made, thus rleasing more equipment for the Pacific. It was assumed originally that a planned attacked on Europe via the Balkans and Italy would be made immediately after the African campaign, but with Afrca. in Allied hands. it might conceivably be found safer to let Hitler stew in bis shortages than permit Japan to continue consolidating her reconquests. Which course will be taken is not predictable, but it is a known fact that awareness of the Pacific is increasing in Washington .