Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-03-16

Speaking in the light of report
that the Japanese have drawn
perimeter OF troops which ma.
close in on Darwin, the westerner
said they believed congressional
pressure, If strong enough, coulC
shortly bring about greater alloca
ton Of fighting aircraft 10 the
south Pacific.
But they declared midwesterr
and eastern representatives, al
though apparently convinced them
selves of the necessity, are re-
luctant TO make the demand or
the military unless the support oil
their constituencies is assured.
WIRE CONGRESSMEN
'T wish the peoples of all the
other regions would write and
telegraph TO their congressman
as the westerners are writing
and telegraphlng 10 western rep
resentatlves," said Rep. Gear
hart, California Republican.
"Then all the other delegations
could join the western groups in
such n congressional cutlery that
Ii would have tn be needed.
although this Congress vo-
calIy has proved itself a Con-
gress aware Of Japan As our
greatest danger, the whole Of
Congress has not been galvan-
ized into action. Only the whole
Of the public can bring that
about"
Said Rep Magnuson, Washing
ton Democrat:
"COnceding that the thought
Of the East Is additionally
turned to Europe, the realization
should he with us all now that
the greatest emergency Of the
war may be shaping today In
the south Pacific, and what we
have there IL a force 30 small
that only n military genius like
Gen. Macarthur could fight with
" the splendid delaying action
be In conducting.
: I'VE are not asking for re-
versai Of the grand strategy
solidifed a year ago. We are
pointing to this situation as one
that can be relieved without loss
on any front.
when the overall plan of the
Allies was first drawn, the allo-
cations favored the European
theater, but do not believe
they were intended 20 favor that
sector to the extent now being
practiced.
MENTAL BLIND SPOTS
cit seems now that In the en-
thusiasm Of the big European
plan. excessive. extreme, uncon-
sidered stress Is being placed on
ALLEGATIONS there, with absent
minded. mental blind spots. in
regard to the Pacific struggle.
Congress has ways of giving
harp reminders TO executive de-
partments. Perhaps reminder
IL all that Il needed to bestow
proportionate ALLEGATIONS in the
Pacific, for II seems certain they
are not proportionate. even In a
grand strategy that accords first
Importance 10 the war In Europe.
But Congress needs the sup
porting opinion Of all the people,
THE eyes Of all the people
should be turned toward the
great typhoon to the West. and
the Hearst newspapers are en-
titled To fullest praise for their
efforts In that direction"
The western congressman read
With an extreme Of admiration
today which told of
low MacArthur's filters had shat
cred portions Of the many con-.
'oys which Japan is directing to-
ward Australia
MAGNIFICENT FIGHT
Commented Rep. Norris Poulson
" California:
II hope the description of the
magnificent fight Gen. Mac
Arthur's inadequate air force is
staging In the Dutch East Indies
will make every citizen through
out the land say to himself:
What couldn't he do II he
had more planes
when I read n week ago that
MacArthnr's aviators had utterly
annihilated a 22-shlp enemy con-
voy In the Bismarck Sea. my
reaction was:
Why, with more planes, that
man would soon have the Japa-
nese running for home!'
For all we know. the duration
Of this war, perhaps even the
winner Of this war. depends on
the airplanes Macarthur has
right now.
mo great transport difficulty I
IL seen here. The planes and
their crews can fy to their
South Sea bases; think there
is no shortage OF fuel there.
Macarthur has shown what
he can do. He has asked for
more planes. IL seems IL would
be just plain common sense to
give him more planes, especially
ne threat Of an Australian in
vasion definitely has been re-
newed by events Of the last few
days"
The intense action in Gen. Mac
.rthur's sector of command
auSed renewal Of Capitol Hill
ak Of political implications that
light be read into the limitations
n the weapons and forces at his
isposal.
II was generally agreed that the