Evening star., 1942-01-22
West Coast
And Hawaii
.New|yFortified
Rising Bomber Flow
Offsetting Advantage
Jupun Seized Dec. 7
BY the Associated Press.


BY the Associated Press.
A high Government official re-
ported today that since the
Pearl Harbor attack the Army
had been able to fortify Hawaii
and the Pacific Coast more for
midably than ever before, while
starting a stream of reinforce
ments to the Southwest Pacific.
(What constituted this stream,
in terms of men and material,
was not disclosedD
Within the United States more
than 100000 troops have been
shifted to new positions in less than
seven weeks with speed and eff
cheney which the official said had
been termed miraculous" by a rail-
road president. -
The advantage Japan gained over
the Navy by the December sur .
been largely offset by the mount
ing flow Of American long-range
bombers.
Survey of Measures Taken.
Omitting details which might con-
vey damaging information to the
enemy, the official gave this picture
of the urgent military measures
taken since war started:
Japan's treacherous raid on Ha-
waii was against the key position Of
the defense of the entire American
Pacific Coast, and the first reports,
which fortunately were exaggerated,
made it appear that the West coast
had been stripped Of its protection.
In the emergency preparations Of
the last 18 months, heavy reliance
was placed on the feet and its Ha-
waii base, and Pacific Coast defenses
had Jagged somewhat for the bene-
fit of more exposed positions.
Into the threatened breach the
Army sped almost the entire force
of bombers available in the United
| States.
Fortunately production had
mounted to such a degree that
fighter planes as well were ready.
The task entailed also, however,
creation Of extensive anti-aircraft
and other defenses.
Rapid movements of men and
weapons were possible because
emergency storage yards, other rail-
way facilities and ports of en-
barkation had been prepared in the
last year and a half.
The efficiency demonstrated ap-
plies to movements of forces out
side the country as well.
Pacific Attack Foreseen.
The Southwest Pacific emergency
was not unforeseen. as it was in
the cards for years, since the United
States tried unsuccessfully to sta
bilize the Pacific with the first
naval disarmament conference and
the accom mpanying nine-power
treaty.
The Army and Navy recognized
that if Japan failed to observe these
commitments, the United States
would be placed at heavy disad-
vantage by geography and a linn
tied fleet, and the Japanese soon
started first to encroach on and
then deliberately to violate the
treaties.
Though Japan gained an enor-
nous advantage by surprise on
.Aecember 7, this already has been
offset partially by American pro-
duction of long range bombers,
which is on the increase and is
destined to mount to great pro-
portions.
Losses of Many Admitted.
AS the Pacific crisis grew, sub
stantial force of heavy bombers was
sent to the Philippines, beginning
last summer, and although many
have been put out of commission.
those still in action have been re-
storing somewhat the balance upset
by the loss of warships at Pearl
Harbor.
In addition the United States and
the other nations involved IN the
Pacific struggle have been laying
broad foundations for united action,
in Washington, Chungking, Moscow.
Singapore and elsewhere.