FOR FAR EAST

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22514, 24 November 1944, Page 3

FOR FAR EAST

MARSHAL VOROSHILOV SIGNIFICANT APPOINTMENT JAPAN AS AGGRESSOR (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 24, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 23 Marshal Voroshilov, who yesterday was relieved of his duties as a member of the Russian Defence Council, has, according to the Budapest radio, been appointed Russian Com-mander-in-Chief in the Far East and has already taken up the post. The Daily Express says that Marshal Voroshilov, Marshal Stalin’s old comrade-in-arms, will shortly be associated with a new war development that the Soviet Union contemplates. The Soviet Defence Council has to extend its activities in other direc-

tions, as indicated by Marshal Stalin’s recent pronouncement. “Japan’s plans make her no less an aggressor than her partner, Germany,” says the paper. JAPAN’S HEAVY LOSS PLANES AND SHIPS DESTROYED PROWL OF 72,000 MILES (Received Nov. 24, 11.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 The Pacific Navy Air Group 8, operating from an Essex class carrier during a 72,000 miles Pacific prowl in the New Guiftea and Formosa areas, destroyed or damaged 691 Japanese'aircraft, sank 44 ships, and strafed 20 airfields. The group personnel are on home leave preparatory to another tour. NAVAL BOMBARDMENT PLANES OVER NAGOYA AREA (Received Nov. 24, 1 p.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 23 The Tokyo radio states that United States warships bombarded Matsu Island, in the Kuriles, last evening. The shelling continued for 20 minutes. The radio also reports that a Super-Fortress flew over the Nagoya area today, the Japanese thanksgiving day. MUST GET AT GRIPS PLANS TO DEFEAT JAPAN BLOWS FROM ALL DIRECTIONS (Received Nov. 24, 11.30 a.m.) CHUNGKING, Nov. 23 General Wedemeyer announced that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek has accepted the general concept of the plan for disposing the Chinese forces against the Japanese and it is going into effect. General Wedemeyer considered that the Japanese would not be defeated by island-hopping strategy but would have to be ultimately defeated on the Asia continent. The Japanese were terribly concerned about their over-all position and the Allies would disclose many things in the future which would increase the enemy’s concern. Asked if he would transport American troops from India by air General Wedemeyer replied: “I visualise the employment of all kinds of resources from all directions. We have got to get at grips with the Japanese. We must get a lodgment in China, with sea communications.’’ NO SHORTAGE OF SHELLS DANGER OF MISAPPREHENSION CONCERN OF TRADES UNIONS (Received Nov. 24, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 23 The recent insistence by Mr Roosevelt and General Eisenhower as to the urgent need for continuance and increased supply of shells by American munition workers has caused some surprise in Britain.

The Times states that there has been no shortage of shells in the British Army. There is no shortage now and there is no prospect of a shortage. The bringing of labour and plant back to shell production is going on again on a scale which enables the Ministry of Supply to say that there will be no shortage of shells in any foreseeable circumstances.

The General Council of the Trades Union Congress, at a meeting yesterday, gave serious consideration to the statements of Mr Roosevelt and General Eisenhower, and the further American statement that a rationing of shells had to take place because in the United States inany workpeople had left wartime production for peacetime jobs. In a subsequent report the council said: “The General Council appreciates that these statements are confined to American production, but they view with considerable apprehension the possibility that they may be regarded by the British armed forces on active service as referring to Britain. If so there is a danger that the forces may feel that while they are engaged in the severest fighting the industrial v/orkers are leaving war production to secure peacetime jobs. The council has no knowledge of any such movement of labour, and asked the Prime Minister to make public the position.”