The Waikato Times FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1938 THE WAY OF THE AGGRESSOR

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20409, 28 January 1938, Page 6

The Waikato Times FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1938 THE WAY OF THE AGGRESSOR

The way of the national aggressor, like that of the individual transgressor, appears to be hard. In the Far East evidently things are not going according to schedule. The weather conditions have been very bad, and it has been said that the Japanese are not the equal of the Chinese in standing up to intense cold. The Manchurian campaign, however, provided some very convincing evidence that the Japanese could endure what were almost arctic conditions, and their commanders will see to it that, in the matter of food and clothes, the troops are well supplied. The difficulty which confronts the invading command is obvious. The further they advance the longer tho lines of communication, and in a country where roads arc not good, and where the retreating enemy is destroying bridges transport must become more and more difficult. The Japanese are said to be using the rivers and waterways as much as possible, but even so the difficulties in winter time must be immense. Added to the natural obstacles the enemy, despite the loss of their capital and some heavy defeats, are said to be showing a strong resistance on some fronts. The Japanese forces are well strung out and conditions thus favour guerilla tactics. The Japanese navy can now be of limited assistance and possibly advanced aerial bases are not easy to establish. The position generally is said to be worrying the high command.

Then from another quarter comes news of very unsettled conditions in Abyssinia. Rome denies the alleged unrest, but last week the despatch of further troops from Italy was reported. They may have been sent to relieve other units, now due to return home, but the fact that large forces have to be maintained means that the aggressor, not possessed of any great financial resources, must continue to expend money heavily. The cost of empire appears, at this stage, to be outrunning the promised advantages.

The third centre of struggle is Spain, and there the two forces are fighting with relentless bitterness. The plans of the insurgents went sadly astray long ago, for they were to have been in Madrid more than a year ago and they are not there yet. The latest draft of recruits is said to have been composed of negroes from Ifni, in Southern Morocco, and these will be sent against the Government troops in due course. Does this development indicate that the recruiting of Moors has not proved successful? The Africans have been used as assault troops on many occasions and their losses are said to have been very heavy. Reports of the position in Spain vary considerably, the political affiliations of the critics obviously tending to colour their views, but the report of large Italian reinforcements assembling, while difficult to reconcile with any non-intervention plan, would seem to indicate that General Franco is not sufficiently powerful to secure victory with the forces at his command. Just at present things are not going at all well for the aggressors, and they may yet discover that there is such a thing as a Pyrrhic victory.