The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-05-09
New Offensive Spirit
OF Allies Being Shown
Madagascar Expedition
Proof OF Growing Strength
Russian Encouraged BY
New Strategic Actions

AfH tsse = @~sfss
eheIegy.
II was understandable. sspec-
islo in view Of the peril which
England barely escaped after
Dunklrk. Nevsrtheiess for nearly
two yesrs there has been little
initiative on our side. and the
lack az II has been costly.
Now United Nations strength
: growing rapidly There are
slgns that new naval strength
i coming into the picture On our
side. President Roosevelt re-
Gently mentioned that American
forces mere operating In the
Mediterranean and nov neriln
says two American hastieshlrs
have passed through Sues into
the Indian Ocean.
TAs nrtsisA were susclnas-
~ recsatly ~ tAs Japanese
naval forces n ths nay %
Besgai hut they have siscs
mastered enough force 10
occupy Madagascar. The
unlted Statcs announces lie
inteniias ef giving any 81
distance needed 10 hsid
Madagascar.
Thus by joint naval action
Great Britain and the United
states are moving 10 prevent
the Japanese from accomplish.
Ing their fatal purpose of clos.
inr the Indian Ocean. New
naval strength now coming and
due To come In the next few
weeks gives our side greater
freedom Of action. We are taxi.
inE the first opportunity IN en-
ercise II In the critical area on
the other aide Of Africa
No development could BE- NJ
greater Encouragement 10 Rus
sia. For Madagascar hes direct.
ly On the supply lire to Russia.
Your geography 10 correct.
Msdagsscar 10 way down on the
lower Eastern coast Of Africa
You might think II was cs littis
concern except 10 South Africa.
But this 10 q world-wnde war
and supplies 10 Russia 70 around
the Cape Of Good Hope and up
through the Indian Ocean.
Japan h trying "a edge
over and take Ceyies. Oft
the lower tip Of India. That
would enable her % point
cut arres. the Indian Oceas
from the Eastern aide. she
already has acquired sons
stepping stones toward Mad
aKasras. and N she could
have gone on arross Apd ee-
rupied fhlA viehy Preach
Island. Japan would have
be~n able Ia eloss the gsts.
From Tokyo 10 Madagascar
10 "a far ~ from New York 10
Msdaxssosf. Few places IN the
world are without importance
10 both sides In this var.
We are in the midst ~ . battle
for these strategic places. Japan
has most Of than In the South.
west Pacific. she 10 trying 20
get those In the Indian Ocean.
We may expect that Lavsrs new
power viii mean German use Of
Dakar. . key point on the west
coast u Africa.
Long ago President Roosevelt
was foreslghted enough 10 oe-
espy Greenland and 10 Join the
British In Iceland. A. Amsff.
can and British naval strength
increases from the furious balld.
Ing Of the last year. ne may
expect thu United Nations 70
become more aggressive In this
battle d the bases. IL may be
that the first slgn OF . decisive
turn IN ths course 81 the var
~aii come through the battis
Of the bases.
Cevfainiy, bsfsss fhs Uniied
nations eas kop~ 10 be- sf-
feetise In land csmpsIgns.
they ususs reEsis sspsrssris,
% the seAA as1 hold and
regain hasss vital ts the
prefsrtion 81 our supply
routes. particularly thsse
that ~1B ~ eeosssssy In
supply Ing . continental Of
fsasive In Europe.
Immedlts rsssrs<s IN Burma
are heart-bre&king for tns
Chinese. Loes Of Eastern India
would add 10 tns dlflcalty NJ
China continuing hxr rssistsnes.
Yet thox< are incidents In ths
larger scheme Of ths war
Victory for tina Unitsd Nations
s1li come only after vs have
made ssfs ths TEA routes over
which ne csa send the stream
Of supplies and 6sen for ths lzad