OFFENSIVE AGAINST JAPAN ?

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22215, 7 March 1942, Page 5

OFFENSIVE AGAINST JAPAN ?

Important Talks In Washington Substantial Aid For China By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (10.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Mar. 5. Mr Roosevelt held a conference lasting three hours with representatives of the British and American Staff Councils including the Americans Mr H. L. Stimson (Secretary for War), General Marshall, MajorGeneral Arnold. Admiral King, and Admiral Stark. The British representatives were Field-Marshal Sir John Dill, Admiral Sir Charles Little, Air Marshal D. C. Evill, Major-General H. C. Wemyss and Commander Coleridge. The “New York Times” says the President called the conference in order to devise a new strategy necessitated by the fear that Japan may attack Australia and India. Netherlands officials in Washington point out that an additional 100 planes from the Allies would have turned the tide in the Netherlands East Indies battle. They add that aeroplane shipments from America to the Far East have been ample in the last few days but were very unsatisfactory earlier. They point out that only the unsatisfactory influx of aeroplanes from the Allies prevented China hitherto from an attack against Japan. The “Herald-Tribune” ascribes Mr Roosevelt’s conference of major importance. It says the measures discussed give cause to expect an early land offensive and air attack against Japan from China. The “Herald-Tribune” interprets a statement by Dr Van Mook (Lieutenant-Governor of the Netherlands East Indies), that “an attack can be expected from another side” as meaning that the Chinese Army is receiving substantial aid with a view to establishing a crushing anti-Japanese offensive by combined Chinese, British and American forces.