Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-08
Peril in AIeutians

XII III MSdkIOIIS
THE American people are completely mystihcd and
frankly distressed by the increasing and strengthened
foohod the japanese forces have been able 10 gain and
hold in the Aloitian Islands
1t is incredible but senator Walgren Of Washington
says it true that the hshcrups in Washington do not
realize the seriousness of the situation
The japanese in quick order and virtually without
opposition. have taken the islands Of Attu, Kiska and
Agattu at tip of the Aleuan chain and are
reported to have occupied the Prblofs which are
within $50 miles of Dutch Harbor
They are roru;cd to have At least $4,000 troops in
these areas which is formidable force.
IT IS true that they have taken only undcfended
l But with tro Japanese IN possession, they are no
longer urdcfcndod and by probably fitted out
with air and sea bases adequately fortified
How long DO the American military and political
authorities responsible for the defense Of the United
States expect The American people to remain placid in the
face Of this dangerous situation
II surely Is a dangerous situation.
That occupation up there" says Senator Wallgrcn
lis only this coast but to the entire United
States Russia Great Britain and to the entire United
Nations cause"
We have always regarded HE 4eataH Islands the
event Of a with Japan being dagger pointed at
the heart of Japan
In the hands Of the japanese, they not blunted
dagger the very least and potentially weapon for
assault upon us at the very worst?
THERE is perhaps nothing to be gained by labor
ing the fact of unpreparedncss and deensesness
in the Aleutians before this began.
But what excuses our continuing unpreparedness and
defenseessness?
President Roosevelt has just now said have four
million armed forces, acquired in good part
since the start of the war.
The American navy, which suffered heavily in the
initial phases Of the war, is said to have not merely
recovered from those losses but to be substantially
stronger than before the war
The volume of American production is probably
in of the total production of any of enemies
and perhaps of the combined production of all
of them.
What do we LACK for a vigorous and successful
defense of this vital American frontier?
Time cannot be pleaded having run against us.
Distance is much in favor than that of the
Japanese
Weather and fog which are handicaps to military
operations to be not allies of the Japanese
OUR grave and potentially fatal lack is obviously in
~ matters of decision and action.
If 1t is just obviously in matters of judgment
and responsibility.
Lay opinion among the American people is not ex-
pected to, and indeed should not dictate the of
military strategy, decision and action.
But lay opinion cannot be insensible to military
results
And the net result to date in the Alcutians whether
judged by military lay standards that the japanese
have been permitted to gain and hold North American
bases from which disastrous attack CAN be launched
against mainland and surely WILL be if the positions
consolidated.
The American people not simply confused and
restless this perous situation They getting worried
and MAD. And if adequate accounting and disposal
Of the japanese doorstep made very shortly
a wrathful accounting will be required of responsible
American authorities.
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