WAR IN PACIFIC

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22474, 8 January 1943, Page 5

WAR IN PACIFIC

Must Be Accelerated

Mr Curtin Should Visit Washington

By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (10 p.m.) SYDNEY. January 7.

“Mr Curtin or his ablest Minister must come to Washington if Australia is to win its case for acceleration of the war in the Pacific.” This statement by the Washington correspondent of the “Sydney Sun” reinforces the view voiced by the “Sun” editorially on Wednesday, and since reaffirmed by every important Australian newspaper that “Mr Curtin could do no greater service for Australia or the Allies at this juncture than to lay the facts of the South-west Pacific situation before President Roosevelt and his high advisers.”

The “Sun” points out “the extraordinary fact was revealed to-day that the United States Navy Secretary (Colonel Frank Knox) had no knowledge up to Monday of the great Japanese armada at Rabaul. “Information that the Japanese were massing at Rabaul in great strength has been in the possession of the Australian Government for some time,” adds the paper. “The fact that it has only belatedly reached Colonel Knox, an American high official of great ability, immersed as he no doubt is in a gigantic avalanche of more pressing problems, provides additional convincing evidence that our own Prime Minister should hasten to Washington.”

An indication of official global strategy is given by the well-informed magazine, “United States News,” which suggests that American resources will be devoted to:—

(1) An air attack against Germany. (2) The clearing of the Mediterranean to open up a shorter route to the Far East. (3) Reopening access to China as a base for use against Japan. (4) Then trying in earnest to cut Japan’s supply lines.

“Since setbacks have been received in Tunisia, that theatre is reported to be absorbing tremendous quantities of war materials,” says the paper. “For the moment the North African campaign is regarded in America as of paramount importance” Supporting the view that General MacArthur should also visit Washington, the “Sun” representative says that many observers are wondering why he has not already been called home for consultation. The correspondent adds: “To put it frankly, General MacArthur is probably regarded as the source of the Australian Government’s protest.” Representations from China and Australia may possibly result in a special committee being sent to the United States from both countries to determine their needs for the advantageous prosecution of the war against Japan.