OFFENSIVE WAR IS VITAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22475, 9 January 1943, Page 4

OFFENSIVE WAR IS VITAL

Appeal By Chinese Ambassador

China's new ambassador to the United States. Wei Tao-ming. made an appeal in Washington recently for closer co-operation among the United Nations and more emphasis on offensive war.

At his first press conference since presenting his credentials to President Roosevelt, the new envoy emphasised his country’s importance as a base for offensive operations against Japan. “Until now we Chinese have been fighting a defensive war.’’ he said, “but if and when enough American aid arrives in China, we can start on the offensive.” Asked if bases were available in China now for bombing operations against Japan proper, the Ambassador replied:

“We have the bases. We are waiting for the planes.” As for submarine operations against Japanese supply lines, he said "bases always can b? found” on the long coast of China, despite Japanese occupation of most of the coastal area. Dr. Wei emphasised that, in his opinion, Japan’s phenomenal successes in the Western Pacific Area have been due “not so much to Japan’s own strength, as to the lack of effective cooperation among the Democracies. If we want to win the war, we cannot remain on the defensive.”