STRATEGY IN EAST

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21653, 13 February 1942, Page 3

STRATEGY IN EAST

CHIANG’S INDIA YISIT COORDINATION OF EFFORT GENEROUS AID NEEDED (United Fress Assn.—Elec. Tei copyright) LONDON, Feb. 12 j The arrival of Marshal Chiang ' Kai-shek in Delhi is welcomed by the ; Times as an important stage in the i co-ordination of Allied strategy in j struggle against Japan. I Remarking that Chinese troops are ; taking part in the defence of Burma |in steadily-increasing numbers, the Times presumes that broad lines of t co-operation between the generaljissimo, whose command extends to Siam and Indo-China, and General | Sir Archibald Wavell, who holds the ! centre from Burma to the island outworks of Australia, have already been sketched. “The organisation of supply, the improvement of the Sino-Burmese communications, and determination of the Chinese military needs—these questions the Chinese leader and his staff will discuss with the Viceroy i and Sir Alan Hartley, the new com-mander-in-chief in India, and their technical advisers, among them no doubt representatives of the Eastern Supply Council,” says the article. “The high quality of China’s patriotism and the valour of her underarmed but undefeated armies have won full recognition from the English-speaking nations, which have learned by painful experience how formidable is the enemy whom she fought alone for more than four years. Supply and Transport “But to enable her to develop her vast military potentialities for offensive purposes Allied aid, especially in supply and transport, must be generously and comprehensively planned. Success in this direction spells the ultimate overthrowing of Japan. “Apart from these military contacts, the generalissimo will no doubt I make the acquaintance of the leaders 'of Indian opinion, and will be able (to impress them with his own conviction that the fate of all Southern jand Eastern Asia, including India, [ hangs on the outcome of the ; struggle. These contacts may well j bear important fruits. “Already China shields India ■against invasion from the east. It 'is inconceivable that she will play j any but a major role in the coming j Allied counter-offensive, and still I more in the final settlement of the | Far East when victory has been won. It is indeed of decisive importance I for the world’s future that China and | India should be ranged together in (defence of those principles of freedom and organisation which the Axis I Powers, and not least Japan, have I set themselves to subvert and deI stroy.”

It is reported that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek will meet Mr Gandhi at Allahabad, and will leave Delhi on Friday.