REACHING DECISION

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21655, 16 February 1942, Page 6

REACHING DECISION

MATABAN GULF STRUGGLE CROSSING OF THE SALWEEN United Press Assn.—Elec. Te’. CoD.vrtgut* (Received Feb. 16, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 15 The battle for the control of the east coast of the Gulf of Martaban is reaching a decisive stage, says the Rangoon correspondent of the American Press. The Japanese are attacking toward Thaton from the sea coast and landing at points on the deep salient on the road between Paan and Thaton. The Japanese crossing of the Salween River is reported to have been made in substantal strength. Japanese control the area west of Martaban and near Paan but the situation has not yet become critical. The Tokio radio says that a big battle is raging in the Paan area. Mahutma Gandhi, in an article in the Harijan, says that if the Nazis come to India Congress will give them the same fight as it has given Britain. Mr Gandhi is of the opinion that the war will result in mutual exhaustion of the warring nations, and that from the holocaust must arise a new order for which exploited millions of toilers have so long thirsted.