Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-10-30
EnemyContinues
Push as Allies
Center on Ndzis
America Directly PeriIed
Seems Obvious and Still
Is oripped by Optimism
By CHARLES X. BRADISH
special Correspondent Of the
baltimore sum
nrinied nv Permission Of RaItimors sun

,Speriai Correspondent Of the
baltimore sun
tRsprtnted nv Permission OF BsItimors sum
MELBOURNE. oct. 30. Think
ing Australians are puzzled in
notable instances alarmed by the
'incomprehensible fights Of opti-
miSm abroad regarding the South
western Pacific front.
We exclude from this comment
circles in Washington and London,
but IL is obvious from some of the
opinion reaching here by cable
and radio that vast numbers OF
Americans, and BritonS have no
conception OF the size OF the men
ace facing America and Australia
The readiness TO assume that
the loss Of a few Japanese ships
at Rabaul IS producing brighter
outlook in the Solomons IS far too
naive and dangerous 10 be ig-
.nored.
JAPS CONTINUE PUSH
Admittedly these Japanes
losses are important as episodes
and we do not discount their eff
feet on Tojo's communications, but
the knowledge that the Japs are
continuing 10 land additional
troops and tanks on GuadalcanaI
calls forth derisory sheer for
the prevailing illusions. on both
sides Of the Pacific.
Prime Minister Curtain, Evatt
and other ministers in the Aus
tralian cabinet have been ham,
mering into the local. skulls the
significance Of the japanese moves,
and the ministers insiStence that
this front is no sideshow. but a
vastly developing circumstance in
the ultimate result of the war,
has been reported here on fire.
taHent occasions.
In a notably incisive address at
Melbourne last Sunday, Evatt
again underlined the difficult of
conveying the local war position 10
a world obcessed by the absurd
ambition OF smashing Hitler first,
JAPs WONT STAY PUT
I'VE In Australia have always
denounced the theory that Japan
would stay put and thereby
assist the United States to adopt
n merely defensive attitude In
the Pacific" Evatt said.
I've had had great difficulty
In stressing the crucial impor-
lance Of the Pacific theater OF
war and had been criticized on
being too Pacific minded.
"Australia's soldiers, sailors
and airmen had been and still
are lighting on almost every
front and In almost every the
alter Of the World War. They
had earned for Australia the
right 10 insist that the homeland
should not be subjected TO the
vile, unspeakable disgrace of
Japanese Invasion"
There were other equally pene-
trsting utterances in the speech.
all OF IL evidence 10 the point that
the nearneSs Of the laps provides
an Overwhelming background in
the minds Of Evatt and other
ministers when thinking aloud.
INDIFFERENT MILLIONS
We naturally arc appreciative
OF those global-viSioned commenta-
tors who. with some suspicion or
actual knowledge of the Pacific
position. endeavor 10 convey the
truth TO many Indifferent millions.
That the Australians and Amer
leans in this theater are fighting
against n most ruthless and eff
icient power. with unlimited
resources in men and materials
and still possessing formidable
navy, is apparently too painful
and bald a common place for gen.
eral reiteration.
: II the inside history OF tho IN
domitable Curtin and his cabinet
during the last II months is ever
revealed il will show how Aus
tralia was made 10 emerge from
the twilight of cssualness and
laisSez faiTe.