The Waikato Times SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1944. GERMANY CALLS FOR HELP

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22246, 15 January 1944, Page 4

The Waikato Times SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1944. GERMANY CALLS FOR HELP

Germany is reported to have launched a campaign aimed at embroiling Russia in war with Japan. Hitler is in terror of a relentless Russian advance from the east and sees an attack by Japan on the other side of Russia as the only hope of stopping the Red Army, offensive. It is a matter of indifference to Germany whether Japan, if she attacked Russia, should lay herself open to lethal blows from the south. But Japan herself must be fully aware of the consequences and seems most likely to decide against becoming involved with another enemy at a time when her fear is growing that she has already committed lierself to an impossible task. The collapse of Germany of course, must be considered a disaster to Japan, because when that collapse occurs all the strength of the United Nations will be concentrated in the Far East, but between the two nations there is no firmer bond than that of expediency. To save the Axis as a whole Japan might be willing to attack Russia, but to save Germany and increase her own risk, Japan would not be tempted. The plain facts are that neither Germany nor Japan in the past year has been able to stem the counter-offensives of the United Nations. No matter what changes are made within the framework of the present belligerents results are not likely to be different. If Japan, gives aid to Germany she will have less power against Britain and the United States. It is just possible Japan considers that if she concentrates all her strength in her own defence she will be able to hold at least some of her ill-gotten gains. With that prospect in view the Japanese High Command will not lightly dissipate its resources to aid Germany. In any case it is questionable whether with present commitments Japan could concentrate the land, sea and air forces necessary for a successful invasion of Russian territory. Japan has for some years maintained a strong army in Manchukuo to counterbalance the Russian Siberian army, but that force have to be reinforced and supplied for an offensive into the forbiddiffg territory of Siberia. Perhaps more menacing still from Japan’s point of view is the fact that a declaration of war would give the Allies air and naval bases in Russian territory very close to the heart of Japan. The anxiety of the Japanese has been to keep Allied bombers out of range. That objective would promptly be defeated by going to war with Russia, and the result might be the much more rapid defeat of Japan than would otherwise be possible. To get at the industrial heart of Japan is the Allies greatest need. Will Japan be foolish enough to open the way by attacking Russia? Hitler’s call for help will fall on very realistic ears.