Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-10-04
War Today
Supplying China
Is Biggest Task
For Moun+o6tten
By JAMES , BRoWN

BY JAMES = hhoN y
IrtsrrAuonal Ns,,, service War Aoo'-'
NEW DELHI Oct FHe
most ureraf-fa.t l-i-,--ll-a -l--
litical problems facing Admra.
Lord Louis Mourtbatte0 NO"
Allied, commandments m
Southeast ASIA consist I'm re-
opening land communications
with China
This is important politically
because Gen ChauE hal--hch
need grows greater daily and
China definitely cannot stand
alone Miutamly such reopen
ing VIII provide vital bases for
operation, hy the Allies against
the JapS
Plans FOR alternative opera
tons certainly are being con-
sidered but the majority of OBJ
servers believe the reopenins
OF TUTUF 17rT01 rr7rrrrrr-t f1ft + 'i--ii'
is paramount Other moves are
secondary
THE NEW commanders
strategy Will necessarily be die
tated by what war materials
can he spared from other fronts.
There are two ways wherein
the land supply route 10 emma
can be re-eStabhShed
There could be an about
campaign 10 retake the whole
Of Burma. But some observers
estimate the number OF divisions
necessary 70 retake the whole OF
Burma would exceed the size
Of the Allied North Africa eX-
petition.
The second method would in
volve a direct attack in north
ern Burma and a holding effort
TO confine the Japanese 10 a
line south OF Mandalay This
plan contains the risk OF losing
the supply line after II Is es-
tablished since the route OF
nearly 1000 miles would be OK
posed TO japanese forces along
its entire length.
THERE Is genuine enthusi-
asm among British and Ameri-
can forces in India over Mount
batten's appointment. Officers
and men of all services, tired
of waiting and eager for action
expect that they will get II
from the former commando
leader.
The delicate political situation
in India. presently aggravated
by the Bengal famine, is not eN-
pected 10 hamper Mountbatten's
activities. However, the Jap
anese encouraged 9 Nationalist
movement in Burma, which is
especially strong in the South,
cannot be overlooked.
The consensus is that the
ennergence Of a strong victorious
China would nullify the effects
of Japan csc propaganda in
Burma, enabling a workable
settlement 10 be reached on the
question Of self-government.
THE JAPANESE, repeatedly,
have completed a road from
Bangkok 10 Rangoon. opening a
land supply artery in southern
Burma while a parallel railroad
Il under construction.
Burma would be susceptible
TO about reconquest by a three
pronged offensive. tn first
aimed al Mandalay the second
down the Burma road toward
Lashio and the third a knockout
punch at southern Burma in an
amphibious smash al Rangoon
A major difficulty is pre-
scented by Rangoon's position 40
miles upriver from the Bay Of
Bengal. From the sea 10 the
city, Allied forces would be en-
gagged in a continuous amphib-
ious operation across beaches,
channels. creeks, hayous and
paddy-ficldS.
The chief consideration favor
ing the northern Burma cam
paign is that the original outlay
will be much smaller Unofficial
observers believe that airbornc.
air-supplied troops could take
key positions swiftly thus en-
abling completion OF communi-.
cations from Indian railroads 10
vital northern Burma points.
The railroad into the interior
would be repaired. finally open
1g the China lifeline.