The Southland Times FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1945. Now It is Japan's Turn

Southland Times, Issue 25669, 11 May 1945, Page 4

The Southland Times FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1945. Now It is Japan's Turn

ALTHOUGH the Japanese leaders have reaffirmed their intention ■ to destroy “the unjust ambition of Britain and the United States,” their secret thoughts must be heavy with desperation. The end of the wax - in Europe did not come suddenly. There has been plenty of time for the Japanese to realize the extremity of theix - danger. But the collapse of Germany, when it came at last, was complete and final. If there are disturbances, and some underground resistance, they may not tax the resources of the armies of occupation. The great wax - machine is broken at the centre, and Hitler’s dream of a long guerrilla warfare (if he evei’ seriously entertained it) has passed beyond the reach of fulfilment. It is impossible fox - the Japanese to see any hope of relief in Europe. They are now standing alone against the most formidable concentration of military power the world has ever seen. Theii - chance of victory disappeared in 1942. The battles of the Coral Sea and Midway Island checked theii - southward expansion, and proved that the United States Navy —using aix - powex - with deadly effect —would become supreme in the Pacific. Since then the Japanese have been dislodged from a long chain of island strongholds. They were driven out of New Guinea. Theii - own bases in the Marshall group and in the Marianas were taken from them and used as the springboards fox - new attacks. The Americans returned triumphantly to the Philippines, and entered Japan’s inner defence zone through landings on Iwojima and Okinawa. Meanwhile the British 14th Army, fighting one of the hardest campaigns in any theatre, was moving towards Mandalay. The capture of Rangoon gave Britain an unbreakable hold on Burma, and reopened the sea terminus of the Burma Road. All these events were occurring while the Allies were fully engaged in Europe. “The victory in Europe,” said Admiral Nimitz in a message to General Eisenhower, “confirms the wisdom of oux - world strategy, which required the use of the bulk, of ouxstrength against Germany, while holding the Japanese and driving them back where possible.” If so much could be done in a “holding war,” what must be expected now that the Allies are free to give Japan theii - undivided attention? The amazing fact is that a holding waxmoved rapidly into a series of powerful' offensives. In spite of hexgeographic advantages, the early supremacy in the south-west Pacific after the treacherous blow at Pearl Harbour, and the swift succession of victories in the Philippines and the East Indies, Japan was quickly forced on to the defensive. It is true j that the, groatex - part of her army is ’ still intact on the Asiatic mainland. But the Allies will shortly be able to confront it with forces which, if not numerically superior, will be superior in battle experience and in 1 equipment. A Hopeless Position

The Allied armies will have the support of air forces which have revealed their power in the shattering offensives' in Europe. Many bases | are already available for the bomber squadrons; but much more space will be needed before the tremendous striking power can be fully employed. The first major development may therefore be an invasion of the China coast. And it is here that the cessation of hostilities in Germany gives the Allies an additional advantage. The Chinese invasion will require the use of transports and escort vessels on a very large scale, and these vessels are now available. The long sea communications will be given a complete protection. And the combination of warships will be so strong that the battered Japanese fleet will be unable to intervene. According to the latest naval figures, America has 1175 combat ships, Britain 500, and France 175. There are also Dutch, Polish and Italian squadrons. The Japanese must therefore expect blows from a fleet of nearly 2000 warships. They will be attacked on land by armies which can be reinforced by several million veterans from the European theatre. And the air - forces, already massive, will be augmented by 5000 heavy bombers and 10,000 fighters and medium bombers. Finally, there is the possibility that Russia will enter the waxin the Far East. Nothing has been said in Moscow to suggest that this move is being planned; but the denouncing of the non-aggression pact with Japan, and the presence in Siberia of a large and self-contained army which can be reinforced and supplied without any serious strain on wax - industries, must make it seem more than a possibility in Tokyo. State Department experts believe that the Japanese military clique, realizing the hopelessness of theix - position, will attempt to negotiate a peace settlement* The Allies, however, seem certain to insist on unconditional surrender. They have already proved that this was the correct policy in Europe, and they are not likely to stop fighting until the Japanese war machine is de-' stroyed as completely as Germany’s. The wax - in the Pacific will not end quickly. Time is needed fox* the transfer of vast forces across the world; and there can be no hasty oxpremature action. But the mighty undertaking had been started lone

before the peace bells were rung in Britain and America. The preliminary battles are over, and the Allies have established a system of bases and communications which can take the strain of a great acceleration. Japan can do little more than delay a total and crushing defeat.