Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-12-11
Jap Thrus+s
In Pacific
Well Planned
Surprise Attack May JOLT
Our Competency
BY PAUL MALLON

Al
W The battling Japanese
thrusts AT the outset of this war
were based on well-ordered
military scheme.
Behind the inadequate and
conflicting reports. the Jap plan
of war early developed clarity.
The basic idea was TO cut us off
from the Far East, drive the
British out, and maintain a self
sufficient empire over the entire
Asiatic hemisphere.
With sound military wisdom.
they struck first al our feet and
aircraft at Honolulu. BY de-
stroying the bulk of our planes
and portion of the fleet. they
thought 10 hold us at Hawaii
while they picked up the small
pieces westward, first Wake
Island then Guam.
Having closed the line OF COM
munications between us and the
British at Singapore, they could
then beSiege or invade the Phil
ippineS. rout the scattered
British forces in the Far East
one by one, and enjoy easy pick
ings for the reSt--they thought.
NATURAL American reioinder
~ would be TO concentrate
first on breaking up the scheme
by destroying the raiding Jap
air and surface craft. Our small
islands west of Hawaii could not
defend themselves and with our
fleet depleted their fall could
be expected. Most of our navy
men have long held an opinion
that even the Philippines could
not hold out indefinitely. if the
British failed 10 hold Singapore.
But we could fight initially by
bombing and summarizing with
the British the Jap transports
all through that South China
Seas area.
If these moves failed to break
down the Jap venture, we might
have 10 start fighting our way
westward again from Hawaii. as
soon as we had acquired the
strength to do il. recapturing
first Wake, then Guam. and so
on through 10 the Philippines.
This might take weeks or
months. depending upon the Sc
verify of our initial fleet and air
losses. Don't forget ii takes
three 10 five years TO build
battleship. W ereas bombing
planes can be replaced more
promptlyD
Invasion OF Japan seemed out
of the question for us. until the
full military cooperation of
Russia could be worked out.
Bombing of Japan from the
AleutianS.. was open 10 us. how
ever. as the weather generally
is clear and cold at this time of
the year (impenetrably foggy
most of the summer.
The Reds had plenty Of our
two-engine bombers in Vladi-
vostok on lease-lend consign-
ment. These were the nearest
disable Allied planes TO Toxic.
Our strategy also called for a
Russian and Chinese offensive
simultaneously upon the Japa-
nese forces, depleted to some ex-
tent for their venture south.
TT IS too bad the feet did not
L have steam up in Pearl Har-
Dor at dawn last Sunday. 1t
would have escaped. But the
government in Washington did
not have its steam up either.
The unpreparedness here was
just less noticeable.
All of us apparently got off
TO bad start with low steam
the army air corps AS well as
the navy at Pearl Harbor, the
unprepared government here,
the surprised citizen in the
street. That is a good way to
start. We all needed this kick
in the pants. although it need
not have been so hard.
NOW let's get the question OF
~ this columns place in the
war news straight. from the
start. Truth is the greatest Of
all weapons for defense The
honorable Japanese schoolboy
has been photographing every
thing in the United States for
20 years. The Jap government
has been spying on us openly
and annoyingly for 20 years. 1t
knows this country from mill
tary standpoint as well AS we
do, our ships, our gun emplace-
housekeeping up 10 now.
The government has two obli-
cations on information. both of
equal importance. 1t must keep
news of military value from the
enemy. but IL must also tell its
people what is going on.
Naturally. government officials
orr on the side OF secrecy. Mill
tary officers all with superiorS
hanging on their necks, have an
unwritten rule Never take a
chance"
II is up 10 the newsman 10 see
that the twin obligations 10
military secrecy. and 10 public
interest. never get ont of bal
ance one way or another That
will be the purpose Of this
column for the duration Of this