Evening star., 1942-01-21
Says Eastern War Now
Is in Decisive Period
Correspondent, Reviewing
japanese Compoiens,
Expects Counter Blow
BIZ Leland StOUe.


By Leland StotDe.
RANGOON, Jan. 2l-With Singapore
under siege and reduced to narrow ma
rine outlet, the powerful thrusts OF Japa-
nese land, air and navel forces have now
carried them within striking distance
of those rich islands which constitute
both the heart of the South Seas and
the backbone of Allied defenses in the
entire Pacific area
Singapores resistance is certain to be
fierce and this makes it probable that the
Nipponese may attempt to transform it
into another .Tobruk by slashing efforts
to isolate that great seaport completely.
To do so they must seek control OF all
of Borneo and launch full-scale inva-
sions against Sumatra or Java.
1t would seem that Japan's next moves
must conform to this pattern and at
this point the Pacific war enters its Sec
ond phase-a phase where the Allies will
fight grimly to hold their main lines at
all costs.
The length OF the Far Eastern con-
flict and its far-reaching effects on the
war against the Nazis hinge on this bat
tie of the South Seas which is now OPEN
ing. Physical odds are still heavy against
the Allies who are being battered with
weapons and planes forged from Ameri-
can, British or Dutch raw materials and
fueled with gasoline furnished by the
Allies themselves over the last four years.
The Japanese have now carried virtu-
ally all of the South Seas front-line po-
sitions, those which form an inner half
moon sweeping from Thsiland down the
Malayan Peninsula, then across Sarawak,
North Borneo, to Mindanao in the
Southern Philippines. Only Gen. Doug
las MacArthur's lone outpost remains at
the far tip of this line.
Thus, the Allies have been thrust back
on their main line, that larger and outer
half-moon which extends from Northern
Sumatra opposite Jap-held Malayan ter
ritory, down through Java and Bali to
Northern Australia. If this line is
whitfield down, or Java should be con-
quered, it will be many long months be-
fore the Allies can take major offensive
in the Far East.
Accordingly, the Pacific war has en-
tered the crucial stage where the oppos-
ing forces must be locked tighter and the
Allies must use everything available to
halt the Jap war machine and bog it
down. 1t is true that the japanese have
now extended themselves greatly and
may conceivably have over-extended
themselves
II the Allies should shortly be able to
deal them q severe blow, either by sea
or air, it might produce unexpected re-
few score Of the Allies best bombers
and fighters could rock the Jap invaders
badly due to their long lines and the fact
that Nipponese risks are increasing every
week
The Allies cannot win the battle of
the South Seas easily. In fact, the out
come cannot be predicted and 1t would
seem wise to be prepared for the worst.
Nevertheless, Allied strength is growing
slowly and much may yet be ac-
compliShed due to the coordination of
their forces under the supreme command
of Gen. Sir Archibald Wavell and the
close cooperation Of American and
Dutch commanders under him.
The question remains whether the
Japanese will attempt to invade Burma
while heavily involved in besiegmg
Singapore. Perhaps they will hesitate
about trying anything on a large scale
like . drive into the Shan States north.
east of Burma) across the mountains
into Central Burma. But the long south.
ern finger of Burma's eastern coastline.
which parallels the Japanese held
southernmost part of Thailand and runs
down to the Japanese conquered upper
Malayan Peninsula, already has proved
most tempting.
In this respect the penetration OF the
Nlpponese troops 20 miles into Burmese
territory to Myitta, and now to Tavoy,
constitutes feeler. After that, it would
not be surprising if the Japanese at
tempted to cut of Burma's southern
fringe as far up as Mouimein especially
since that would offer them closer bases
for aerial attacks on Rangoon.
Here again much depends on Singa-
pores resistance and what it costs the
Japanese attackers. Late arrivals here
from Singapore insist that it will be an
extremely hard nut for the Japanese
to crack even if it should become an
other Tobruk in every sense.
Whatever happens. the decision in the
battle OF the South Seas should be clear
within two months and that decision
inevitably will determine much about the
entire course of the World War.
Copyright. 1912. BY Chicaro Daily NevsJ