Evening star., 1941-02-20
Singapore Reinforced

Notwithstanding preoccupation
with problems of home defense and
perils to her position which have
| suddenly arisen in the Balkans and
Eastern Mediterranean, Britain has
| moved swiftly and dramatically to
safeguard her interests in the Far
East. In answer to Japanese threats
in the South Pacific, Singapore has
been reinforced by a contingent of
Australian troops, numbering un-
stated thousands, equipped for any
service required in defense Of the
British Gibraltar at the vital cross
roads of the Pacific, on the tip of the
Malay Peninsula. The contingent
from down under" bulWarked by
Squadrons of bombers and fighting
planes, now provides Britain, in the
opinion of neutral observers, with
fighting strength, especially in the
air, ample to assure Singapores safety
against any probable attack that can
be launched against it.
Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton,
commanding the China fleet, does
not exaggerate when he points out
that safe arrival of the "Aussies" at
their destination demonstrates the
power inherent in command of the
sea, which enables Britain to station
her forces where they are most
needed. Japan's provocative activi-
ties ever since her engineered peace"
between Thailand and French Indo-
China indicating that the Toxic war
lords think the time ripe for pressing
Japanese designs on the Dutch East
Indies and the Straits Settlement,
fully justified British and Australian
anXietieS and the action now taken
to allay them. Coincident with the
Australians landing at Singapore
come reports of the presence of two
japanese fleets in the Gulf of Siam,
between the Malay Peninsula and
Southern Indo-China. Toxic Spokes-
men belittle developments at Singa-
pore as merely another indication
crisis in the Far East" but it cannot
be doubted that Britains action is
assessed at its full import-plain
warning that she will not stand idly
by while japan, under axis spur,
seeks to establish new order" in
the Pacific, which has as its principal
objective the annihilation of British
and American influence and interests
there.
Britain's clearly revealed deter
mination to thwart Japan'S aggressive
purposes parallels the United States
Far Eastern policy. Usdersecretary
WelleS, commenting Tuesday on
Tokio'S offer to mediate any conflict
in the world" bluntly rejoined that
in today's critical international situa-
ton, America is more interested in
the deeds of other nations than in
the words Of some Of their spokes-
men," 1t was emphasized that this
statement applies alike to Japan and
her axis associates. The British gov
ernment, meanwhile, informed the
House of Commons that Japan's
suggestion is being considered, but
probably would be rejected.
The island empire is now on notice
that appeaSement days are gone
that its expansion program in the
direction of Australia and New Zea-
land, via the East Indies and the
Malay Peninsula, evokes irrevocable
British opposition. Toxic knows, too,
that the United States, faced by the
same provocation, is prepared to take
adequate defensive steps. Like all
militaristic nations, the japanese
understand best the language of
force. 1t is in that language, with a
strong Australian accent, that the
conversion of Singapore into a YER
liable fortress speaks. 1t is language
with which American policy in the
Pacific is in full accord.