The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-07
LAPS ARE LANDING
 NEAR AUSTRALIA
Only 225 Miles Away Is
 Admission; General Mac- l Arthur Wants Offensive
By DON CAsWELL

by DUN OAOWEAA
 United Press Staff Correspondent)
 General MacArthur's Headquart- CTS, Australia, Aug. 7.-(UP)-A spokesman for Gen. MacArthur ad- mitted today that the Japanese had occupied the Kai, Tanimbar and Aroe Islands within 225 miles ot Australia and 100 miles of North western New Guinea.
 It was believed that Allied re- connaissance reported in Mac Arthurs communique covered the island groups and that plane crews had reported there was no sign that the Japanese had yet established air fields in their new invasion zone.
 MacArthur reported that Allied medium bombing planes had made successful attack on the big Jap anese bases in the Salamaua-Lae area of the North New Guinea coast without meeting challenging enemy planes. All planes returned safe.
 The communique said also that the situation in the Buna-G Gons area, 15O miles from Salamaua, l1ao become static. Only light ground forces were engaged in reconnais- Sance, 1t was said.
 Near Port Moresby
 Allied patrols of Australian and native troops remained in contact with the Japanese who now held Kokoda, 55 miles from Port Mores6y
 The grave news of the occupa- tion of the new island bases in the Karafura Sea within easy striking distance of both the Australian con- tinent and New Guinea came at a moment when American and Aus tralian authorities here showed plain signs of anger at the idea that there was anything in the Aus tralasian situation to justify com- placence.
 A spokesman gave a few indica- tionS of the real situation yester- day. Five Sixths of all troops in this zone are Australians. Ameri- can aid so far hardly more than replaces Australian losses overseas. Three days of American war pro- duction could double the supply of equipment and planes of the Amer ican Expeditionary Force. The strength of the navy in the south- west Pacific area approximates the Australian warships sunk so far or being used in other theaters.
 Want MacArthur
 Gen. Macarthur must tell the Australian and American people more about developments on Aus tralia's northern front" the Sydney Daily Telegraph said today. "He is the one man who can speak with equal authority to both countries and carry to the American people the conviction of the danger which threatens the United Nations in this part of the Pacific
 Macarthur believes in the offen- sive. He is itching to act and Australia is with him. Now is the tiEnc fer him to speak out to those who through lack of imagination or over-prudence ar holding him back. and to those who have failed to give him the materials to make his com mand effective.
 We do not want American troops and materials here just to make Australia safe for Australians. We believe the Japanese must be Stop- ped somewhere and stopped soon Until we begin to fight this war there is no chance of winning it.
 The difficulties of those who are alloting war materials were under stood here. Prime Minister John Curtin said today:
 This is world war and alloca- tions to particular theaters are ex- anime. in the light of the globa. situation. Australia must share the perils of the total problem"
 Bot there was growing feeling that the critical phase was coming in the southwest Pacific and that 1t might come this month. Ever before the news that the Arafurs Islands had been occupied, Austral. fans were anxious and angry be. cause the Allies had not been abll to prevent the Japanese from talk. ing their New Buna- Coma Zone 1T New Guinea and pushing half wa! across the island to Kokoda.
 When Gen. MacArthur came herr last March. Australians believed t' was going to be permitted to organ ize an offensive. As 1t is, he f lucky to have Q good defense. I banner line in the Sydney Mirroa said today:
 Churchill and Roosevelt stiI blind to Japs." "
 The article under the headline de. manded that the people of Britaii and the United States be told in, truth regarding the poSitiOn hers.