Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-11-01
First Round

TITSt kOun0
Secretary of the Navy Knox has
painted brighter picture of the sit
uation in and about the Solomon Is
lands than the combat reports of
recent days had led the public to
expect. Stating that there was
practically a lull' in the Solomons
fighting, the Secretary continued:
u have no idea what the next move
will be. Our air force and the Army
Air Forces have been very active.
There has been some good stiff land
fighting AS figure of speech, I
would say that the first round is over
and they are waiting for the second
round to start"
While cautioning against unwar-
ranted optimism, Secretary Knox
made 1t clear that our heroic garrison
on Guadalcanal had beaten back all
japanese assaults and still occupied
EVERY inch of ground" they ever con-
trolled. Furthermore, the waters
about Guadalcanal were no longer
dominated by the japanese Navy,
since most of their Warships had re-
tired to the northWard. Lastly sup
plies and reinforcements are reach
Ing our garrison. That is especially
encouraging, because it removes, or
at least postpones, the danger that
our defense might be overcome for
lack of ammunition and aviation
gasoline.
The larger aspects of the far-flung
battle in the South Pacific, whereof
Guadalcanal is only one sector. like
wise appear favorable, though some
what obscure. General MacArthurs
headquarters in Australia reports
damaging raid on japanese heavy
naval units concentrated at their
base of BUN in the Central Solomons,
800 miles north of Guadalcanal This
Is merely the latest of a series of air
attacks delivered by American and
Australian flyers on the Japanese
held island chain running clear
back through the Solomons and New
Britain to the main japanese strong
holds in the inundated islands. This
continual hammering at the enemy's
long line of communications I'M
doubtedly handicaps his efforts to
concentrate for decisive blow at our
footholds in the Southern Solomons.
It emphasizes the basic fact that the
Solomons and New Guinea theaters.
though geographically far apart, are
strategically integrated as organic
parts of one battle front.
The most obscure phase OF the
fighting in the South Pacific is that
In the stretch of open ocean which
lies east of the Solomons and north
of our bases in the New Hebrides.
Last week heavy naval actions were
fought in this area, and reports from
Hawaii indicate that big Japanese
fleet, accompanied by troop ships,
was moving southwark through those
waters, potentially threatening not
univ the New Hebrides, but other
links in our line of communications
across the Pacific from Hawaii to
Australia. When asked about TINS
situation, Secretary Knox said ne
knew of nothing which would con-
firm such reports, which were specu-
lative in character. At any rate, the
rival task forces which clashed last
week off the Santa Cruz Islands,
midway between the Solomons ana
the New Hebrides, are no longer IN
contact, the inference being that
both have retired to their respective
bases.
Such is the overall picture that
ran be cleaned from the of11clal
statements and communicates. IT
represents a temporary lull in an ex-
tremely complicated war OF maneu-
yer over wide area, But the Japa-
nese have clearly failed in their hrst
major attempt to break down our
defenses. Though they doubtless are
reproupine their forces and repairing
heavy losses, so is our side. Time IS
,rohablv working more for us than
for our opponents, Severe and pro-
,onped fighting lies ahead. But we
,een, to have outpointed the enemy
IN the first round, and the omens are
favorable.