DID GERMANY IT JAPAN DOWN?

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 187, 11 August 1941, Page 5

DID GERMANY IT JAPAN DOWN?

THE SOVIET WAR HINT THAT GERMAN STRENGTH ■ WAS MISCALCULATED VALUABLE TIME AFFORDED THE DEMOCRACIES (Reed. 8 p.m.; New York, Aug 9. in a copyright message from Tokio to the Herald-Tribune, Air. Joseph Newman says Hint the Japanese admit, although reluctantly, that liny miscalculated in estimating developments in the Bi.vict-Gc-rman War.

Therefore, they under-estimated the price to pay for occupation of Indo-China. They placed so much confidence in Hitler's judgment and strength of the Nazi armies, that they accepted, without question. Berlin’s time schedule.

Mr. Newman says it is fair to assume that Japan preferred to await. American participation in the European War before moving into Indo-t.'liina, because American involvement against the Nazis would case lhe Ai ieriean pressure against Japan. The outbreak ol the .Russian-Herman War, in the opinion of the Japanese, postponed American participation, thereby interfering with Japan’s original plan.

Lieutenant - Commander Ishimaru, an expert commentator, lias pointed out that Germany let Japan down in attacking Russia by making it possible for the demoeraeies to strengthen their position, enabling Britain to release pai't. of her Elect to the Far East. German officials let it be known that they expected to b< in Moscow in about: a fortnight, but the Germans failed. In the meantime, the demoeraeies. greatly strengthened their military position in the South Sea ar< a.

Well-in formed observers do not believe Japan will risk a war against Hie democracies while flic democracies can concentrate forces in lhe Far East and possibly secure the support of Russia in the north. Many officials now expect a long-drawn-out war between Germany and Russia. Therefore, they must consider the possibility of n German defeat, and. therefore, it is considered unlikely that Japan can move in mther direct io i at present IT. \.