The Southland Times FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1945. Forty Years After

Southland Times, Issue 25747, 10 August 1945, Page 4

The Southland Times FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1945. Forty Years After

pORTY YEARS AGO the Russian J- Fleet was sunk after a disastrous engagement by the rising naval power of Japan. Yesterday the victorious might of a new Russia struck back at a Japan that is reeling under the relentlessly advancing attack of the Allied Powers. It is, of course, a totally unequal struggle. Until the outbreak of the present war the two Powers were so balanced in strength that the unpredictable outcome of a decisive struggle maintained an uneasy peace. Russia possessed the greatest resources, but her communications were both extended and unreliable. Japan, with less resources, especially of mechanized weapons, would have fought on interior lines of communication which were efficient and disciplined. Today the jsland empire is about to be oveiwhelmed by the massed armed might of the victorious Allies. Her armies are dissipated over a vast area. No doubt the forces ip occupied China will be drawn off by the Russian armies in the north. I Japan’s navy is completely disabled and is powerless to defend her shores. A crippled‘air force is being held back from a last desperate invasion gesture. Tokyo is within five hours’ bombing range from United States bases and is how less than three hours range from Vladivostock. A tightening blockade is eliminating her essential sources of food and industrial supplies. The atomic bomb has shattered any hope that remained of a prolonged defence, and has doubtless deeply shaken the morale of the entire people. Now that Russia has attacked on her only secured flank, Japan’s plight is hopeless and should deteriorate rapidly. It is surely reasonable to hope that realistic judgments will overcome the anachronistic workings of the Japanese mind, and I that an early surrender will minimize the extensive and intensive sufferings that will fall with increasing rapidity upon her herded people. It would now appear that at Potsdam M. Stalin must have been promised some revision of the Manchurian frontier in favour of Russia, and in terms of an agreement not yet disclosed has entered the Eastern war in its final stage. Russian territory will inevitably be expanded in the East at the expense of the Japanese Empire. Another great Power is about to fall in ruins, a victim of her own aggression, paying in full a terrible retribution for hex- treachery at Pearl Harbour. The Japanese came very neai- to achieving ambitions which would have darkened the whole Pacific, but the coming collapse will be a devastating experience which will leave her inert for years to come,