ATTACK ON RUSSIA LIKELY

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22204, 23 February 1942, Page 5

ATTACK ON RUSSIA LIKELY

Japanese May Aid Hitler (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) NEW YORK. Feb. 20. There is a strong possibility of a Japanese attack against Siberia before April, coinciding with Hitler’s spring offensive against the Soviet, said the Minister of War (General Ho Ylngchin) in an interview with the Chungking correspondent of the “New York Times.” He expressed confidence in Russia’s ability to match the Japanese. Japan was extremely vulnerable to air attacks from Siberia. If Rangoon fell Japan would immediately drive on to India in the hope of Joining hands with her Axixs partners somewhere in the Near East, but this drive was not likely to be successful because it was possible only with strong naval support in the Indian Ocean and Japan could not risk the unlimited extension of naval operations. “We advise our British and American Allies not to be over concerned with the immediate Japanese successes because the Japanese losses in manpower, ships, and equipment are enormous considering the limited possibility of replacement while the combined Allied resources are overwhelming. Therefore the turn of the tide is certain as soon as Britain, America and China are rallied for the attack.”