DEFEAT OF JAPAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 224, 19 September 1944, Page 5

DEFEAT OF JAPAN

N.Z. AND AUSTRALIA VITALLY CONCERNED BRITISH PRESS COMMENT ON QUEBEC DECISION. Recd. 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 18. j The Daily Mail, in a leader welcoming the Quebec decision that Great Britain is to have a full share of operatin';- against. Japan, says:— “The Dominions will have a full share, too. New Zealand and Australia, whose troops have fought so long, so magnificently, so decisively In the Far East will be In at the death.” Th? Mail says the decision Is demanded by justice, supported by achievement and endorsed bv expediency. "Thera must be no in the mine’s of Japan, or any eastern people that the British Empire Is able to play, and did play, a potent part in avenging the earlier defeats,” says the paper. The Times declares that the British Commonwealth group of Pacific Powers, with many scores to settle against Japan, and Canada’s interest are c’osely related to those of America. “New Zealand and Australia cannot cease from the conflict until they obtain an absolute assurance against another irruption through Ihe island barrier northward." says the paper. “Malaya must be liberated and a strong rampart established, behind which the now self-govern-ing India can work out her salvation in peace. The British Empire shares with the United States’ ties of friendship with China. We can no more disclaim our part in the labours and sacrifices still required than forego our voice In the provisions that will hereafter be made to re-establish peace and justice in the Pacific upon enduring foundations.” DIVISION OF COMMAND HOW BRITAIN WILL FIT INTO PACIFIC SET-UP. Reed. 8.30 n.m. New York, Sept. 18. It is understood that Britain’s assignment in the war against Janan primarily will be a series of amphibious operations against Malaya and Sumatra, says the Associated Press' Washington correspondent. This means that the Quebec Conference confirmed a divisions of the PaciflcAsiatic battlefront into four general sectors. Firstly, the British sector, southwestwards of the Philippines. Secondly, the New Guinea-Philip-pines sector, under General MacArthur. Thirdly, the central sector, embracing Formosa and Japan proper, under Admiral Nimitz. Fourthly, the Kuriles, also under Admiral Nimitz, which will become of paramount importance it Russia enters the war. Britain's assignment is based primari'y on the location of bases and supply lines. Naval authorities maintain that if the British put a fleet in the Pacific it would create a number of new supply problems and tax shinping facilities already strained to maintain General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz The British a’ready have a big fleet based on Ceylon. Yom which they will probably move to Singapore, building up bases and supply lines en route. IMPORTANT SUBJECTS DISCUSSED Reed. 11.45 p m. Quebec. Sept. 18. Mr. Churchill’s and President Roosevent’s movements are at present secret, says the United Press, but there is a likelihood, based on official information, that they are continuing talks elsewhere. The Associated Press learns that the conference reached an agreement on several pressing topics, including, firstly, an Allied military commission for Germany after occupation: secondly, an enlargement of the powers of the European Advisory Committee; thirdly, a world security agency; fourthly, the Russian-Polish dispute, involving boundaries; fifthly, destruction of German cartels and a core of understanding for dealing with the cartel problem internationally; sixthly, the part of the French forces in delivering French Indo-China from the Japanese. NO COMPROM’SE GAUNTLET FLUI.’G DOWN Recd. 10 p.m. New Y’ork, Sept. IS. The New York Times, in an editorial, says: “The Quebec official communique not only serves notice on Japan, which is reported to be fishing for a compromise of peace, that unconditional surrender is still the only way out ol the war, but throws dawn with a thud all the disguised propaganda that Britain and America are urging a softer peace for Japan than Germany. “The United States Navy and Ail Force are still reoprted to be confident of their ability to knock out Japan, principally by their own power, but the lessons from Germany suggest that in the East, as In Europe, the war’s final stages must be fought out by the ground forces. Transport and deployment of Allied armies strong enough to beat the Japanese Army estimated at two million, with copious reserves, is a major job in itself, and is only able to be made easier if Russia should join in the war against Japan, or at least provide bases aftei Germany's collapse. That, of course, is a matter which can only be decided by Moscow, but there are indications that, as a result < f the Quebec Conference, Moscow may be sounded out ■regarding it."