Evening star., 1943-08-11

come this week-other operations
will be carried out. Bombings of
German cities and important OBJ
jectives in Nazi-held countries
will be increased. The activities
OF the Allied air and ground
forces will require our utmost
effort.
Gen. Macarthur this week
made an optimistic statement
about our position in the Pacific.
1t was his first optimistic utter
Ance since he took over command
OF the Southwest Pacific area.
But he pointed out his activities
still are bound to be restricted
because he does not yet have all
he needs for real business.
And while the American naval
forces In the Pacific have un-
questionable command of the
seas and can be substantially. re-
inforced, since there is no need
for them in the Atlantic. 1t will
be some time before Gen. Mac
Arthur gets the men and supplies
necessary to start 4 real offensive
against Japan.
Toxic Not Worried.
Gen. Macarthur will continue
to nibble at the periphery of the
Japs' outer defenses for some
time. This prospect does not ac-
tually worry the Toxic high COM
mand, which Is all set to make
the are which defends the new
empire A difncult to break as is
humanity possible.
Japanese industry is being
streamlined. New arsenals, yards
and plane factories are said to
have been established in the
South Pacific, where manpower,
raw materials and other facilities
are At the disposal of Nippon.
The policy Of giving "inde-
pendence"-in Japanese style
to the newly conquered territories
is being pressed. Burma already
has been declared independent
and 4 strongly anti British and
anti-American government was
established two weeks ago ut
Rangoon.
Naturally the Japanese high
commissioner is taking care of
the newly formed independent
state IN the same manner the
Japanese Ambassador Is help
ing" Emperor Pu-yi In Man
chukuo.
Besides the natives, a corps Of
80 900 Indians captured at Hong
Kong and Singapore is being
formed into an Indian army of
liberation" This army will be
incorporated into the new Bur-
mese national defense force a.
an independent unit.
1t IL In the cards that the same
pattern Is likely to be followed in
the Philippines and In the Meth
erlands as soon As the natives
have been primed for such a
purpose.
China Jap's Chief Interest.
But the chief interest Of Japan
today Is China, where "hot and
cold" policy is being adopted. The
japanese are not inclined to
throw too large q force against
the forces Of Generalissimo
Chang Kai-shek and this will be
done only II all hope Of weaving
his generals away from him is
abandoned.
Outside minor operations, the
Japanese for the time being are
using tempting promises for a
freer and better China to induce
the Chinese under the Chungking
government to lay down their
arms. 1t Is known that Gen.
Chang has shown a good deal
Of impatience with the slowness
Of Allied operations In that Far
Eastern area.
There have been widespread
reports that unless a major Of
fensive In Burma is started by
the Allies this year, Chang may
not be able to hold out.
For some time, the generals
silno has been promised such an
offensive which should open up
his channels of communication
with the western world. The at
tack Of the forces under Lord
WAvell last spring failed lamen-
tably.
1t Is hoped that a much more
effective offensive will take place
In the next few months. It is
said the Japanese are viewing
this prospect with greater eager
ness than the operations of Gen.
Macarthur and Admiral Halsey.
Their future moves on the
Chinese mainland - the best
jumping on place for an even
tual Allied operation against
Japan itself-will depend on what
they expect us to do In Burma.