The Waikato Times TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1941 WAR COMES NEARER HOME

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21599, 9 December 1941, Page 4

The Waikato Times TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1941 WAR COMES NEARER HOME

Japan’s declaration of war against Britain and the United States differs from other aggressions in recent years which Japan refuses to regard as acts of war. The war against China, for in-

stance, after five years is still called an “incident” or an “emergency.” But the effect is the same. Just as surely as she now hopes to destroy the British Empire and the United States, Japan has been trying to subdue China—and has failed. That most significant fact is arresting at a time when Japan has decided to incur vastly greater responsibilities and risks. It is difficult to believe that Japan has been exerting only a small part of her strength against the Chinese and allowing the China “incident” to drag on year after year.

It is true, of course, that the Japanese Navy has been of only limited use in the war against China, whereas it is intended to make it the chief instrument in the attack on Britain and the United States. But a navy alone cannot complete a conquest, of which fact China itself is a notable example. As well as the navies of Britain and the United States, Japan has declared war on substantial land forces and huge populations in China, Burma, India, the Malay Straits Settlements, Australia and New Zealand, and perhaps in eastern Russia and the Netherlands East Indies as well. Those already powerful forces will increase rapidly and Japan must now face all of them and not merely China. Whether the war in the East will be long or short will depend to a large extent on the result of the clash of the naval forces.

Whether Japan intends to attempt to force a decision at sea or whether her navy will adopt the hit-and-run or defensive tactics of Italy and Germany remains to be demonstrated. It is safe to assume, however, that Britain and the United States must be prepared to deal with submarine and surface raiders. These tactics alone are likely to have a profound effect on the economic position in Australia and New Zealand. With this aspect of the conflict the Governments are proceeding to deal. The war now is no longer on the other side of the world; it covers the whole vast expanse of the Pacific and its effects will be felt on land as well as at sea. New Zealand has long been at war with Germany but now the struggle has come to the Pacific. The whole basis of a war thousands of miles away differs from that of a war at home. The real patriotism of the people of Australia and New Zealand must now be put to the test. Further privations must be expected. All that matters now is that the war shall be won. There is no longer any doubt what the alternative will be. Promptly the Government has taken steps to conserve supplies of petrol that would have been used for private motoring. This is only one of the least of the sacrifices that will have to be made in the national interest. The country’s leaders are facing an extremely trying period and an informed and helpful public opinion will do much toward the attainment of complete wartime efficiency.