Evening star., 1942-08-11
+OH SeIf-Sufficiency
By RELMAN NORM,

RIO DE JANEIRO. Aug. IL
American experts returning from
japanese territory on the Swedish
exchange liner Gripsholm seem to
be OF one mind that from the stand
point Of fuel Oil the japanese can
go all out indefinitely with ships,
tanks and planes in the Pacific war.
These experts, who were among
l500 American reps triates stopping
off here yesterday en- route home,
say previously accumulated stocks
plus the fields taken by conquest
finally have fulfilled the Japanese
dream of fuel self sufficiency
The one type which they may have
difhcui,y in getting in sufflcient
quanricties is lubricating oil, the ex-
perts say. The acquisition Of Oil
fields in Dutch and British Borneo,
the Netherlands Indies and the Ye-
nang Yaung field in Burma will not
help the japanese greatly in this re-
spect because none of these areas
produces the type Of crude oil from
which top grade lubricating oil can
be refined without special refinery
equipment.
CThe Dutch scorched- earth
policy probably destroyed most,
if not all, such equipment In the
captured areasD
Before the war virtually all the
lubricating oil used by the japanese
came from the United States. The
Pacific fields have a base composed
principally OF asphalt and 4 praf1in
base is necessary for ready and ex-
tensive extraction OF the lubricat ting
oil most suitable for tanks and other
heavy war machinery.
Large Supply In Storage.
A survey OF the whole Japanese
territory today shows
Japan An estimated 10000 900
barrels in storage before hostilities
started. This is believed to be the
equivalent Of l8 months normal
consumption. American naval ex-
perts long have believed the jap
snese always have maintained \
stock sufficient for two years.
Hong Kong-The Japanese prob
ably found between $4,000 and 10000
tons of Diesel and fuel oil unde-
stroyed, plenty OF kerosene and
about 10000 gallons Of motor gaso-
line. Very little high test aviation
fuel was left there.
Philippines-The Pandekan stor-
age areas were understood to have
been completely destroyed.
Singapore - Amounts were cap
tured in all categories Nearly twice
the amount of oil captured In Honk
Kong in all categories was seized
Storage tanks were located mainly
on the small nearby islands OF Pulo
Bukin and Pulo Samban. The sup
plies were believed only partially de-
stroyed.
Netherlands Indies-The Dutch
demolition machinery was well or
ganized long before the war. All
storage facilities in Borneo, Java
and Sumatra were believed blown
up. Conversely, 1t was understood
that supplies at Sarawak, British
possession on North Borneo, were
taken intact. The figures are un-
known. Oilmen said they thought
| the japanese brought drilling crews
and machinery into the oil-bearine
areas along with troops and prob
ably started drilling and restoration
work Immediately.
No Refineries In Area.
Japans main problem will be
Transportation. Americans believe
that within three to six months all
but q few oil fields in Burma, Java
! Sumatra and Borneo will be operat-
ing again, but there are no refln-
cries left in those areas. Hence
tankers must take the crude oil te
japan. The lone refinery in the
Southern Orient is at Bangkok. II
is too small to handle more than
trickle of the high-test gasoline
Japan needs.
Japan also Is equipped to produce
oil and gasoline synthetically from
coal. Experts said her annual pro-
duction exceeded 1,OO0, 900 barrels.
The repariates paused here for {
4s-hour stay after completing thu
second leg OF = strange odyssey.
They had travelled $4,000 miles
Those from the United States anc
Canada have another 5000 to go
Those who 60 on to New York viii
have been en- route nearly three
months when they pass the Statue
OF Liberty. Disembarking, they vii
touch On a fourth continent in theil
travels.
Although geographically they are
not much closer to the United States
than when they were interned ir
Japan and China, in other ways
they already are home.
For the past two weeks aboaro
the Gripsholm they have enjoyed
the luxury of American food, ciga
rettes, beer chewing gum