The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-02-20
NlEMBER MlcHIGAN
YhE NEW WAR LINE

THE NEW WAN LINE
Singapore having been written off
as lost the defense and delaying &C
ton Of the United Nations IN the
Far East nov falls back on the
Indies and Burma
Facing cold reality, Allied com
manders must count on the POSSIBLE
fly OF losing both. The question IN
that case is how long they can be
held. It may be weeks before a clue
10 the answer becomes apparent IN
the case o. the Indies; perhaps
sooner in Burma.
The japanese already are forcing
the issue in Burma. The battle for
that gateway TO India and guardian
OF China's supply line IS apparently
in full swing. with the Japanese
driving westward from Martaban
towards Rangoon and the Burma
Road. and trying 10 cross the Sal
Netu hlFeF lartleF lOrLl.
Several factors enter into the de
tense Of Burma. One Is the size OF
the force which China can throw
into the battle The Chinese now are
in action in northern Burma They
hope 10 throw in enough troops 10
offset Japan's superiority in man
power A second factor is the
amount OF aid which can be sent
from India. where Generalissimo
Chang KatShek has teen discuss
ing methods OF cooperation. A third
is the strength OF the American
and British air squadrons, and
whether they can be reinforced II
is apparent that the aerial defense
of Burma is stronger than was that
Of Singapore.
OF course, the fall OF Singapore
will release many japanese planes.
fighting men, guns and machines
for use IN Burma or the Indies, or
both.
The defense OF the Indies vii,
center on Java, where the remain
ing Dutch stronghold OF Soerabaja
lies. After Singapore. Sumatra
should prove comparatively easy
prey for the Japanese, although
there is little doubt that It will be
contested stubbornly.
Java ought 10 be harder TO crack
Its defenses are stronger and the
main forces OF the Dutch are cen
tered there. The appointment Of
Dutch Rear Admiral c. Z. l. Helt
rich 20 command Of the Allied naval
forces suggests lively action at sea.
He IS reputed TO be an exponent OF
offensive as opposed 70 defensive
action. IL is expected he will make
maximum use Of the combined Dutch
and |. S. Asiatic fleets. which sc-
quilted themselves with such deadly
effect in the battle OF Macsssar
Strait.
II in the end the Indies have 10
be relinquished. the time gained
while they hold out will be Of Ut.
most value in building up Allied
defensive and ultimately-offen
give power In Australia and New
Zealand. The two dominions would
become the final stronghold OF the
Allies in the Southwestern Pacific
and the base from which they even
tually would Try 70 fight their way
back
Australia Is not so much an Island
as continent. From its northern
shores TO the industrial ana popu.
lous centers in the southeast II is
some 1000 miles. about half OF Il
impossible desert. Ii the japanese
land on the north coast and take
Port Darwin. there Is only one over
land route they can take into the
country. That is the military high
way across the desert tetweeu
Alice Springs and Birdum. linking
Port Darwin by rail with the south.
1t simplifies the problem OF defense
because II eliminates the pos! 3il!ty
OF surprise Japanese attack. They
so ~ that route or not at AN