The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-03-23
ourlooK eRleHTENs


With appointment OF General
Douglas Macarthur as supreme
commander Of an United Nations
forces in the Southwest Pacific.
the situation there is beginning TO
clear. The two great bases from
which We must strike al the Jap
snese forces are now under the
military command OF two generals
who have shown the finest mettle
of any in this war-Dougas Mac
Arthur and Archibald p Wavell.
Both are OF mature age. physically
fit and mentally alert. They are
both good administrators.
Their problems are similar and
include not only checking present
Japanese initiative but training
forces to assume the offensive at the
earliest possible moment.
No more suitable appointment
than that OF Gen. Macarthur could
have been made. II was asked Tor
by the Australian government AMI
Is thus Indicative of the lack OF any
petty jealousies in the Inter-Allied
command between two great Anglo
Saxon races.
They speak the same language
think the same way and their COM
mand marks the spheres OF military
influence OF our two nations in the
Pacific. Solidarity is. indeed,
marked not only by the arrival OF
United States forces in Australia,
but also in India, the Middle East,
and In northern Ireland.
In Australia the offensive spirit
has been quickly manifested. The
gallant attack by combined naval
forces in Java, where Dutch. Bit
ish. American and Australian ships
went down. their colors flying. after
inflicting heavy damage on enemy
ships, has been followed by brill
liant successes.
Australian and American aircraft
have annihilated Japanese invasion
conveys off New Guinea. In all thir-
ty-three ships, including twelve
varships have been put out OF ac-
ton. with the loss OF but a single
United Nations plane.
New American forces, both land
and air. are moving to take their
battle stations In northern Austria
LA. New Zealand is being similarly
reinforced.
The japanese cannot stop 10 rest
on their laurels. They must 90 on
despite the burden Of their ever
lengthening communications or
they will not be able 70 play their
full part in Adolf Hitler's spring
offensive.
But they'll find no Quislings in
Australia as they found in Burma
and as they hope 10 find in India.
Results OF the mission OF Sir Stat
ford Grips in India are being anxi-
ously awaited. II is not beyond the
genius OF the British nations 10
find a solution 10 all religious and
political differences which beset
the status OF India.
With the enemy at the gates the
leaders in British India and the
Indian princes have declared their
complete loyalty. II is left now TO
British representatives TO enlist
the full support Of the Indian peo-
pie.
While India seems 10 afford the
most advantageous target for at.
tack, since II brings the Japanese
ever closer 10 their allies, the
Nazis, It is essential for them TO
prevent the establishment Of a great
American army in Australia.
We may. therefore. expect the
japanese 10 extend themselves 70
their utmost In their assault
against our two great bases.
In Europe Russia continues on
the offensive. The fate OF the Ger.
mans in the Starsya-Russa area
seems sealed and the great Viasma
salient has been cut off in the sans
manner. The Germans have been
given no rest anywhere along their
long line. Once again Hitler has
made a speech in which he has
promised victorious spring often
sive. but he is being steadily forced
TO throw more and more OF his re.
serves into Russia 10 maintain his
lines
a flood OF rumors have been re-
leased from Berlin. One OF the most
persistent is that poison gas will
now be used. This. however. cannot
be used effectively until the cole
weather is over.
This may be another reason why
the promised offensive may be de
hyed until the end Of April.
The Mails may nave invented
some new gas, or some new method
OF using it. but It is a two-edged
weapon. II can be used against
them as in the late war where for
every gas bomb they loosed sgains
us they were repaid ten.fold II It IL
used II will show that Hitler ha,
despaired OF defeating the Russians
as he tried to do In his last cam
paign and is making a final effort