Evening star., 1942-02-16
Singapore Falls

1tllcIdGlOIlS IlcllCc, IIlc 1dll VI
Singapore may be reckoned as a
landmark of world history For more
than a century, this port city, set
astride the crossroads of the Far
East, was recognized as center of
trade and commerce. More than a
decade ago, Britain attempted to
safeguard Singapore by turning it
into a mighty naval and air base, a.
a cost of more than $4O0 100000 Its
sheltered roadstead, mammoth dry
docks and extensive arsenal made it
a major nucleus of British sea power.
This embattled island, whose Malay
title means "The City of the Lion"
was a supreme symbol of Britain's
imperial power. Its elaborate coast
defense rendered it immune to at
tack from the Seaward side.
But Singapore had it's Achilles
heel. This was an assault by land.
The possibility of such an onslaught
was not seriously considered by the
trainers of its seaWard defense. Was
it not shielded by a narrow peninsula
400 miles long and under British
control? And beyond lay the weak
buffer state of Thailand, to say moth
ing of French Indo-China, friendly
colony, while Burma, another British
possession, lay not far away. A
landward invasion was then deemed
beyond the bounds of probability.
Today, the seeming impossibility
has become a dreadful reality. After
a short week of whirlwind assault,
Singapore has fallen. In almost
sepulchral tones, Prime Minister
Winston Churchill acknowledged the
loss in his radio address to the peo-
piles of Britain, the Dominions and
the United States. He acknowledged
that Britain, engaged in life-and-
death struggle with Germany and
Italy, had not been able single
handed to confront the added on
slaught of Japan; that japanese
aggressions in Indo- China and else
where had been put up with so long
as Britain stood alone, and that
American aid in the Far East was
needed to redress the balance. Mr..
Churchill made no attempt to hide
Britain's inherent weakness in the
Far East at moment when it was
fighting for bare existence at home
and in the Near East.
What Mr.. Churchill did not explain
was the failure of the local authori-
ties to prepare against the japanese
menace by fortifying Singapore's
land approaches down the Malay
Peninsula or by applying thorough
going "scorched earth" policy in Ma
laya, in order to deprive the invaders
of the fruits of victory, as the Dutch
in their possessions have so method
ically done. The story of Singapore
is not pretty one, nor will it re-
dound to British prestige in all East
ern lands, where prestige is para
mount consideration.
From. every aspect, Singapore was
a major bulwark of the United Ma
tions against japanese aggression.
It's fall will make more difficult the
task of defending what is left in the
Far East, will endanger both India
and Australia, and will expose the
sea routes from Africa and the Near
East to Japanese naval attack.
Burma soon may be outfanked in it's
communications with India, and with
Burma would go China's chief life
line with the outer world.
Thus, both as a strategic bastion
and as a psychic symbol, the speedy
fall of Singapore greatly worsens the
situation. Only by herculean efforts
by Britain and America can the dam
age be repaired and the logical con-
sequences be averted. A great dis
aSter has occurred. The crisis must
be faced calmly and courageously.
Any other course would be folly,
inviting fresh misfortunes.