Evening star., 1941-12-27
MaIaya Defenders
Confident Jap Drive
Will Be Smashed
Picked Imperial !
Troops Declared
Not Yet Called Up
BY DOUGLAS WILKIE,

Correspondent Of The Star and n. A. N A.
ON THE NORTHERN MALAYA
FRONT, Dec. "a by Wireless-De-
layed Even the most confident
japanese generals cannot hope that
their land advance in Malaga can
be converted into an immediate
threat TO Singapore's back door but
the land offensive undoubtedly will
be pushed with the utmost effort to
obtain air bases even more ad-
vanced than those already in jap
anese hands.
1t is impossible to hint at the
British preparations to counter the
japanese land thrust or the measures
being taken to defend Singapore
itself But it may be said that
picked imperial troops have not yet
been thrown into the battle and
that the commanders of the fortress,
after building up its defenses for
decade, have revised their estimates
of the Japanese strength and are
are confident they can turn back
the attackers. Singapore is dozen
times stronger than Hong Kong.
Malaga Not Decisive Battle.
japan cannot win the war, accord
ing to British imperial commanders
in Malaga, and it is believed her
leaders are fully aware OF this.
Since December 8 the Japanese have
been desperately seeking footholds
~, nj
ton before the arrival of Allied re-
Inducements finally halts their ad-
vance. They will fling in every
thing in the next fortnight in an
effort to clinch the initial ad-
vantages they have gained.
Many observers read confirmation
for such an Interpretation Of
Japan's main strategy in her en-
deavors to persuade the world that
she is waging a humanitarian"
war-for example. her boasted len
iency" toward the Europeans IN
Shanghai.
The forthcoming battle will de-
eide the fate of Ipoh, center Of the
Malayan tin mining industry. The
terrain here comprises much open
country criss-crossed by small riv-
ers. This terrain, with the telling
of nearby rubber plantations, leav-
ing tree stumps two and three feet
high. could provide formidable
obstacle against japanese armored
columns.
It is no use saving that the Perak
River. which is the biggest waterway
in Malaga, is a natural defense and
in the next breath admitting that
it runs north and south and al
ready has enabled the japanese to
bring down troops on RATS. The
fact must not be blinked. also, that
the Japanese, well equipped with
tommy guns, have been able to
pour in a constant stream of fresh
troops to replace those in the front
lines. Their infiltration tactics have
been checked but not surmounted.
Chinese Services Offered.
Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek
has offered the services OF Chinese
leaders in Malaga to organize the
local Chinese to avert panic and
counter fifth columnists. The offer
has been accepted by the British.
1t can now be revealed unoffciallv
that Chang Kai-shek before the
outbreak of war here offered to send
Chinese regular troops to Singapore
to cement the A B c D. Alliance. but
the British then declined for politi-
cal reasons. MANY observers now
believe the offer should heve been
accepted or at least a token force
OF Chinese regulars should be in
vited to Singapore at the earliest
/ possible moment. Furthermore,
hand picked Straits Chinese should
long ago have been enlisted with
the British Malayan forces. as OBJ
servers point to the LOYALTY and
valor of Filipino native troops who
have vlndicated the American policy
Of admitting them into the United
States Army.