UNITED STATES FLEET MANOEUVRE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20784, 19 April 1939, Page 6

UNITED STATES FLEET MANOEUVRE

For reasons not disclosed the United States seems to fear action by the Japanese further south in the Pacific; hence the United States i leet has been ordered to make all possible speed from the Atlantic Ocean into the Pacific. The British Empire will heartily welcome the move, but many people will be puzzled regarding its immediate cause. It had seemed that with the great new offensive launched by Marshal Chiang Kai-shek in China the Japanese would be more than usually occupied with the campaign on the mainland. It will be remembered, however, that with the lack of naval opposition from China the Japanese navy is able to operate almost independently in the Pacific area, providing it does not clash with the direct interests of Britain and the United States, and therefore with the ships of those Powers on the China Station. Intensification of the war in China, nevertheless, must necessitate heavy calls upon the reserves of Japanese troops, and if the Chinese offensive is as powerful as it is reported to be, Japan could ill spare substantial numbers of troops for new ventures in other spheres. But the United States is not prepared to take- undue risks with her interests in the Pacific.

Indications are not lacking that America still regards the Philippines as of considerable importance, and there is little doubt that if those islands were menaced the United States flag would quickly be shown in that area. The widely held belief is that Japan is planning a major move in the Pacific under cover of the next advance by the totalitarian States in Europe. If that is so, even greater importance attaches to the American appeal to Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini to abandon any idea of further aggression. Observers will probably connect Mr Roosevelt’s Note to the dictators with the movement of the fleet into the Pacific. If the Note has the desired effect, any plans Japan may have may be revised, but in any case the United States feels compelled to take precautions. - It is a double check which should have some effect.