Evening star., 1942-01-25
PACIFIC THEATER HELD MOST VITAL TO u. S.
singopoes Foil Expected Making Defense Of Indies Essential

air forces, based on the Philippines and
Singapore and capable of raiding the
Jap's lines Of communication. Further
more, it was based on the presence of
large British naval and air force in and
around the Gibraltar of the Far East.
All these have now disappeared or
never materialized. Whatever hope Is
still entertained for Singapore arises
from the chance of prompt arrival OF an
air force from the Netherlands Indies
and from the activity Of Admiral Thomas
c. Harts warships. If Singapore goes
the Allies heavy ships will End it diff
ficult to maintain themselves in the
Western Pacific md the strategy to be
adopted will be founded on raids by
light craft-cruisers, destroyers and SUBJ
marines.
If reinforcements are rushed as rapidly
as possible, there is a good chance
that at least the Netherlands Indies may
be held as base for further operations
against the japanese. 1t is also be-
lieved that in the event all the neces-
sary air force is rushed to Burma and
India, the Japanese will be prevented
from penetrating deeply into those re-
gions. But If these territories were to
fall into the hands of the Japanese the
situation of the United Nations would
become most precarious. Any victories
that the Russians win in Europe would
be of little avail either to us or the
British.
Chinese Have Big Role.
In the long-range planning to defeat
the Axis, the Chinese have a definite
and most important role. Generalissimo
: Chang Kai-shek has definite plans
which could be brought to fruition in
the next II months. But Chang must
be in position to receive war material
planes and small arms-from his pres
ent Allies.
The Burma road is athe only remain
ing line of communication between
China and her Allies. Should this fall
into the hands of the Japanese, there
would be little hope for Chang to con-
tinue his resistance. He has rejected
all kinds of proposals submitted to him
by the Japanese through the Nazis. He
knows that peace with the Axis would
mean the end of all his hopes for a
really. independent China So long as
there is glimmer of hope he will
fight. But should the Japanese succeed
in gaining a foothold in Burma, it is
questionable how long the Chinese gen.
eralissimo would be able to continue
the struggle.
While the plans of the AKA can be
only guessed at, the Japs appear from
their position to have two roads open
to them. If Singapore and the Indies
fall into their hands, they may ad-
vance westward, attempt to stir up trou-
BILE in India, invade Burma in the
hope of crushing Chang Kai-shek's re-
sistance and organize vast sweeping
movement from Asia to Europe.
The other possibility is to strike at
Australia. This is worrying the Can
berra government considerably, and its
fears have been communicated with un-
mistakable force to President Roosevelt
and Prime Minister Churchill. The pos
Australia is no longer hypothetical
Under these circumstances, whatever
the future plans of the Japs may be,
an immediate concentration Of all our
activities in the Pacific is of vital i'm
portance. The probable fall of Singa-
pore makes such move on Our part
even more compelling than ever