Evening star., 1942-11-24

will Immediately 2'@''"
capitulate has David Lawrence.
become so widespread that in the
ALLEGATION OF materials it is not
unusual to find our own officials
feeling that first attention must be
given to Europe. While nobody
would wish to see any materials or
ships taken from the European
theater which were absolutely needed
10 carry on the projected operations,
It Is possible for the idea to become
rooted that America can carry on
the Pacific war with secondary
weapons and secondary treatment.
It Is plausible. of course, to assume
that II Germany is beaten, the entire
force OF the British and American
navies can be used to transport
troops and supplies and planes to
the Pacific fronts. But this is
long, hard road, and every bit Of
Information concerning the Japanese
strategy leads to the conclusion that
the Japanese will make the United
Nations pay dearly for every island
and every inch of territory lost.
Entrenched at Many Points.
The problem Of defeating Japan
Is related to what the United Nations
do In the early stages. Already
Japan has stolen q march on the
Allies by her sweep down through
the Far East to the South Pacific.
The Japanese possess numerous
bases, and they have entrenched
themselves in an area which Is, in
total square miles, equal to all OF
Europe. The American people do
not realize the vast quantities Of
minerals and resources won by jap
anese conquests since the war began.
Japan has not been asleep these
last few years in preparing for the
far-hung war against the United
States. In Japan there is a feeling
that while the United States cannot
be invaded, the American Navy can
be kept from interfering with jap
anese supply Lines over a long period
Of time.
The Japanese visualize q war Of
several years duration. Because Of
the attitude Of some Americans who
are allowing the thought to develop
that 1t doesn't matter when we
tackle the Japanese problem in
earnest 80 long as we concentrate
on Europe. the Japanese are finding
1t easier to carry on their type Of
war than would be the case II we
regarded the Pacific as q prime con-
sideration in all our overall strategy.
But, 1t will be said, Russia needs
materials. Africa needs materials,
and the United States, under lease
lend agreements, must keep up the
flow OF goods to many fronts. Then
the question arises whether war ma
terials are being boarded anywhere
and whether manpower devoted to
the making Of boarded materials
Isn't also being wasted or used
wrongly.
Much on Home Front.
A tremendous quantity Of war ma
terials has been used on the So
called home front. Anti aircraft
guns have been supplied to areas
within continental United States.
which only by the remotest stretch
Of the imagination could be sub
jected to attack from planes.
Why has such material been 50
distributed7 Possibly to satisfy pub
lie clamor, especially in coastal cities.
But the marines on Guadalcanal
would appreciate some more OF those
guns right now. and the manpower
could be used to make war vessels
needed to replenish our losses In the
Pacific.
The successes Of our Army and
Navy and Air Force have made our
home front secure. The time has
come to divert war supplies and
manpower from the home front to
supply our forces abroad. High Of
ficias Of the Government are being
importuned to forget the local
clamor for moro weapons and sup
plies and to give our forces abroad
most, If not all, Of such production
from now on.
The Navy needs more support
from the overall planners than it
appears to be getting in the Pacific
more planes than have been given
our outlying positions.
II the United Nations forces are
10 extend their offensives beyond
New Guinea and II the American
feet Is to occupy more islands to
furnish air bases for our bombers,
the Pacific cannot be considered
hereafter . number two position.
The war with Japan deserves para
mount attention.
Putting first things first with re-
spect to the Pacific war will save