Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-07-31
Jap AIeu+ian
Move Called
Alaska Peril
immediate Operations
by u. S. Demanded
BY DAMON RUNYON

POSSIBLY fIllSleu Nv tIit oAibHNiy
frivolous attitude on the part
of the navy department at the
outset. is inclined 10 underesti-
mate the adventure OF the Japa-
nese in the Aleutians.
In my opinion. il definitely
represents the setting up OF an
assault on Alaska which can be
prevented only by an immediate
and very large scale operation
10 diSlodge the brown devils be-
fore they cover the rocky isles
Of the western Aleutians with
the profusion Of vermin.
| discount the conjectures that
this occupation of American soil
was intended merely as encour-
agement TO the people OF Japan
or as a threat against Russia,
or for any other purpose than
an invasion of Alaska, from
which the Japs would be able
10 strike at the Pacific Coast
cities.
Invasion is the Japs' racket,
as they have demonstrated in
this war, and an invasion Of
America is their big dream.
The trouble with too many
persons in this country, includ-
ing some in authority, is that
they persist in thinking the Japs
are given 10 gestures OF this
nature just 10 make the home
folks feel happy, when the truth
is there is deadly serious motive
in all their maneuVers.
| THINK our naval and mill
Il tary master minds realize this
now, though there was some
Glowing about il in the begin
ming. The -avy department said
OF the report of the invasion
seven weeks ago that none of
our islands or rocks were trou-
bled with unlimited visitors. a
Jolly way Of tossing off the most
sinister threat against these
shores in hundred years.
Afterwards the navy depart
ment agreed somewhat affably
that the Jsps had landed all
right, but that the landings
were small. d" You gathered
that no more than enough skib-
bies to make up gin rummy
party had assembled on the
bleak islands.
The department also re-
marked. easily, that IL saw no
strategic Importance in the
Japanese incursions.
The navy master minds con-
tinue 10 make deep mystery
OF the Aleutian situation and at
the same time seem disposed 10
give the impression that il re
mains minor incident.
An executive Of big press
bureau, apparently speaking on
inside info from Washington.
remarked 10 me the other day
that the Aleutian matter had
settled down TO a "mopping up
and that my fears Of danger
from that quarter were quite
groundlesS.
THE following day, the navy
Il announced the sinking NJ
three Japanese destroyers and
one transport. II had previously
tabled the sinking Of three
other deStroyers and one trans
port, and damage 10 four enemy
cruisers, three destroyerS. one
gunboat and one transport, or a
total of Is
II has passed a report OF
concentration in kiSka Harbor
Of five japanese heavy cruisers,
two light cruisers. 10 destroyers,
two submarines. nine cargo
ships and transports and other
vessels.
Now subtracting the Is YES
sells belted by our subs and
planes. the ''mopping up" would
still remain major task, as
YOU can see.
And Anthony J. Dimond. dele
gate from Alaska 10 Congress,
claims 10 have information that
upwards Of 25,00O japanese
have landed on the islands.
which is quite conceivable in
view Of the number of enemy
vessels admitted by the depart
ment, and that rs no token
force. That is the markings OF
an army Of invasion.
/ SUSPECT that the navy de-
partment regrets its jocoSe
dismissal Of the first reports.
II now comedies that the dam
age being inflicted on the in
Vaders is AT considerable cost
TO ourselves.
It is possible that the Aleu-
tians may be a death trap for
the JapS and their expedition
one Of the most i'll advised and
futile of the war. hut IL calls
for something more drastic than
anything yet undertaken 10
date.
Copyright 1912. nv KING Features
Distributed ny international News Service