Evening star., 1941-10-19
By MAI. GEORGE FIELDING
ETTnT

ELIOT.
The present situation in the Far
East serves to emphasize the point
which has so frequently been made
in these articles: The immense ''nui-
sance value" of Japan to the Axis.
At first glance. it is difficult to
understand why Japan, weakened by
her long struggle with China and
completely isolated from her aSso-
ciates, should have been permitted
to play this role as long as she has
The explanation lies in the lack of
determined and co-ordinated policy
on the part of all the opponents of
the Axis.
AS long as the German high COM
mand is able to dispose of all its
resources under a single direction
and to concentrate its power as 1t
finds necessary, while its opponents
must endlesslY consult and chatter
over an infinitv OF detail in order
to get any degree of concerted ac-
ton. the Germans will possess an
advantage which will always give
them the timing of each move, and
may in the end prove decisive This
is another way of saying that as
long as the American people remain
obSesSed by the idea that this war
can be won by half measures, with
out taking risks and without sacri-
flee other than financial, the war
will not be won.
OF course, the German high COM
mand does not make decisions at
Toxic, but it is able to influence
those decisions by its accomplish
ments elsewhere, notably, at pres
ent, in Russia, while the effect of
German successes is not adequately
countered by mere conversations"
amongst Britain, America, the Meth
erlands, China and Russia. These
powers, at the very beginning of the
Russo-German war, had an oppor-
tunity to make a joint stand in the
Far East which would have COM
PEELED the Konoye government to
choose between complete change
OF front and suicidal war.
1t is probable that they still have
that opportunity, but the sands are
running out. The Konoye govern
ment has given place to a govern
ment far more military in tone: the
Russian forces in the Far East have
been weakened by Withdrawals for
the European front: every day that
passes sees the new japanese battle
ships and heavy armored cruisers
nearer to readiness for sea, and the
Japanese troops and bases in Indo-
China better prepared for action.
If the German successes in Russia
should soon permit the detachment
of strong German forces, especially
air forces, for operations against
Turkey, or in Libya, or in Spain, it
may become possible for the Ger
mans to create diversions which will
make it still more difficult for Ger
many's opponents to force show
down with Japan. The completion
of additional German submarines
and surface vessels and the release
of German aircraft from Russia may
likewise permit the Germans to
stage naval diversions in the At
| lantic.
The immediate present may well,
therefore, be the last opportunity
for Kidding ourselves of the Japa-
nese nuisance, and an intolerable
nuisance 1t is. and has been. and
will Gf permitted) continue to be.
At every call for action in the At
lantic our Navy and our diplomats
have been compelled to weigh care
fully, before acting, the situation in
the Pacific. The difficulties and
dangers of a two-ocean war have
been dinned into the ears of our
citizens by the apostles of isolation
at every turn of the road.
checked and hamstrung by the mere
checked an dhamstrung by the mere
existence of Japan as a military
menace to our far-hung lines OF
communication and those of our
British and Dutch associates. Ali
this has been of immense value to
Germany. Yet there is no reason
why we should allow this state Of
affairs to continue.
At the moment, the new Japa-
nese warships are probably not ready
for action Recent repairs to British
capital ships have brought the Brit
ish battle fleet to full strength again,
or nearly so. Our Philippine garri-
son has been heavily reinforced,
especially in long-range aircraft;
likewise the British garrison IN
Malaga.
War in Russia Undecided.
The Japanese offensives in China
have ended in failure; a Chinese