Evening star., 1942-01-04
Struggle for Singapore Is Key
To Probable Duration of War
Might Prolong Pacific Struggle for Many
Years and Delay Victory
By Constantine Br0wn.

Within the next few weeks the struggle
for Singapore is likely to overshadow all
other battles in this war. for at the close
of the historic conferences between
President Roosevelt, Prime Minister
Churchill and their military naval and
air advisers 1t was agreed that the great
British Far Eastern base must be saved
at any cost. The fall of Manila serves to
accentuate the importance of holding
Singapore.
The South Pacific looms in Allied
strategy today with magnitude at least
equal to that of any other theater of
operations-the Atlantic, Russia or the
Near East. To American naval and
military strategists it is far more impor-
tant than the struggle in North Africa
and the Mediterranean.
This is not mere selfshness on the
part Of American naval and air officers,
but is based on sound considerations.
Before the war council was held in
Washington the British and Soviet
strategists looked on the South Pacific
as a secondary theater of action; we
were told repeatedly that Germany is
the chief enemy and that as soon as the
Reich collapses we need not worry about
the little Japs.
American strategists agreed with their
associates that Japan has much less
stamina than the Reich; hence, they
argued, If Japan cannot reach its prin-
cipal objectives within a comparatively
short time, she is likely OF disintegrate
rapidly. Japan's main purpose in this
war Is the capture of Singapore and the
rich Netherlands possessions - Java,
Sumatra and Borneo. Should her ulti-
mate war plans be frustrated, all the
spectacular victories which the Japanese
air and land armies have won so far
would be of no consequence.
Oil and Rubber Vital.
Germany's situation is somewhat dif-
ferent, however. She has the entire
continent of Europe from the English
Channel to Smolensk and Kiev at her
disposal. The Reich is a land power
and, with the exception of oil and rub
ber, she has practically every raw mate
rial she needs. Barring internal COL
lapse, her defeat will require some time.
A japanese victory at Singapore would
further strengthen her power of resist
snce and put off still longer the day Of
Nazi defeat toward which the Allies are
fighting.
Consequently, naval and military off,
GERS who for years have studied the
problems of simultaneous wars in the
Atlantic and the Pacific, maintain that
the Allies must fight Germany defen-
sively in Europe and the Near East,
while concentrating their main effort
In the Pacific.
The idea that Japan's might would
disintegrate if the Nazis are defeated is
fully Endorsed in Washington; provided,
however, that this defeat occurs within
the next II months. Such a speedy
victory over the Nazis is considered high
ty improbable however.
The Nazis and their associates still
pack powerful punch. We must not
be misled into too great optimism as
the result of the Soviet victories; they
may be only temporary and none will
be surprised if they end in the next few
weeks. There necessarily will be a lull
on the Russian front until late next
spring or early in the summer. Mean
while the Nazis will be active in other
fields.
Must Be Reinforced.
Africa and the Near East are the most
probable theaters which Hitler will
choose for his next exploits. If the Allies
with the assistance of United States
production, could stall the Germans
there, they would be well on the road to
victory. But the Allied purpose would
be defeated if, in the meantime, the Japa-
nese were to have their own way in the
Pacific. Weak naval and air reinforce
ments in that area would be just waste
Of good equipment and splendid human
material.
1t is no longer military secret thai
unless we get heavy naval and air rein
forcements to Singapore and adjacent
territories the British fortress in the
Pacific will fall. And when the flae
of the Rising Sun flies over that citadel
we may be sure that neither Java mol
Sumatra will be able to resist another
month. Furthermore, India, which has
been seething for many years and which
has been the field of operation for Japa.
nese agents since 1926, is a danger spot