Evening star., 1941-12-28
War Strategy Held Ignored
In u. S. Stand on Seized Islands
Vichy Called Axis Greatest Benefoetor
While De GouIIists Buses Can Aid Allies

that 1t excludes the question Of the
French Pacific islands.
Fortunately for us, Admiral De
Coux' control OF most of these islands
has ceased to exist. AS regards New
Caledonia. the New Hebrides. and
Tahiti. these islands have declared
for the Free French, and the Free
French on the outbreak of war with
Japan placed them unreservedly at
our disposal. The Importance of
this fact may be seen by glance at
any good map of the Pacific.
The japanese disposition in their
inundated islands, strengthened by
their occupation Of Guam and
Wake, bars our direct route from
Pearl Harbor to beleaguered Luzon.
We are compelled to make a long
detour to the southwark going now
by way of Samoa and Australia.
This is the only remaining route by
which reinforcementS can reach the
Philippines, the Netherlands Indies
and Malava from the United States
except by way of the Cape Of
Good Hope.
Free French Isles Important.
Suuarely athwart this South Pa
cific sea lane stand the Free French
islands of New Caledonia and the
New Hebrides. Considering the vital
importance of air power and Of sub
marines in this Pacific war, Japa-
nese possession of these islands
would be a serious menace to us.
Already We hear of japanese opera
tions in the Gilbert Islands. which
are on the way from the japanese
bases in the Marshall group to
either Samoa or the New Hebrides
It is all very we'll to say We should
drive the japanese out Of the French
islands even if they got in there
No doubt we should, in time. The
islands are a long way from Japan
and much closer to Australia. But
time is OF vital importance in the
Pacific strategy of the moment. II
was to gain time for the reduction
of Manila and Singapore that the
japanese struck at Pearl Harbor
their whole plan of campaign Il
based on getting hold of these Fal
Eastern strongholds before we car
relieve them.
It is therefore of great importance
to us that the Free French have
placed their islands at our disposal
and the defense of those islands l!
matter of no small consequence
in the prosecution of our plans
These are facts which ought to b'
given consideration in connection
with anything that we may do al
fecting Free French interest else
where.
Marquesas Isles Important.
There is another group of Pacific
islands which is also of Importance
the Marouesas. These islands ar
still nominally controlled by Vichy-
that is by Admiral De Coux. The
are the easternmost of the Frenc
possessions. They lie only $50
miles from Panama, being closer II
tho Canal than is Pearl Harbor.
In japanese hands, they would Gu
in half the present distance whlcl
japanese raiders and scouts, seekln
to attack or observe our shippin
and movements in the Bay OF Pana
ma and along the coast Of Centre
America, must cover. Obviously,
would be greatly to our advantag
if these islands were in the hand
of our friends and allies. the Ere
French.
We ought to consider such a poir
as this in any action which ma
seem to set a precedent in the mat
ter of Free French occupation
! Vichy territories.
In fact, it may be well to repea
without criticism of what has bee
done but as a general and guidir
principle, that our diplomatic ar
military strategies should be close
co-ordinated with the single obje'
tive of victory.
Copyright, 1e41. by New York Tribur
1nc)