Evening star., 1944-04-09

military operations.
Political matters have had a deep in
t1uence on military developments in
Europe. Political matters are at the
bottom Of our troubles in Eastern Asia.
The Japanese have crossed the Burma
border and have invaded Indian ter
rttory. Their march on Imphal has been
successful so far because their excellent
intelligence has informed them that
only thin screen of British and Indian
forces was guarding that key position
which controls the last remaining free
road to China.
The situation tn the Eastern Asiatic
theater Of operations has become critical
not because the Japanese have an over
whelming force but because political
conflicts in India make the situation
highly explosive and also because the
Chinese are fighting only half -heartedly
on our side as a result Of the covered
frictions which exist between China and
Great Britain.
There was time, early in 1912, before
the Japanese invaded Burma, when
Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek could
have given the Allies efficient support.
He offered, in fact, to send two army
corps to help the British forces charged
with the defense OF Burma, but his offer
was turned down with the usual diplo-
matte thanks and the explanation that
q large Chinese force was not needed.
China Vital In War.
Behind this refusal was more than the
belief Of the British generals that the
and poorly trained Chinese
soldiers would be more of a handicap
than assistance. London was afraid the
old claim of China on Burma might be
revived If combined operation were
successful. Politically the British were
right because in recent months the
"Gissimo" and particularly the "Gissima"
(Mme. Chiang) on more than one occa-
sion have mentioned the Burma question
as one which may have to be discussed
at the peace conference.
The military support of China at the
present time-once we take OF the trap
pings placed on its propaganda agencies
and polite ofiicial communiques-is
negligible. But this does not mean that
we must not do our utmost to keep
China In the war. The military poten-
tial Of the Chinese armies Is great if we
can get supplies to Chiangs soldiers
and he Is allowed to develop his army on
modern lines without the handicap Of
International politics.
Even If this does not happen, China
must be Kept fighting because she offers
the Allies the best available airfields
for our eventual attack on Japari's mair,
defenses
Because Of these two strictly military
considerations, We were told that plans
were made at Quebec last summer to
detail sizable force to attempt to open
up the Burma road in 1943 and thus in
crease the now of war material to
Chungking.
F0resaw Political Trouble.
The political and military men who
attended the Quebec Conference, Presi-
dent Roosevelt, Prime Minister Church.
Ill and their top-ranking military and
political advisers, realized that besides
the military difficulties there also would
be political troubles. Lord Louis Mount
batten was chosen as supreme COM
mander of the newly created Eastern
Asiatic front not only because of his
daring and ability, but also because he
Is the cousin of the British monarch.
The Viceroy of India has tremendous
powers; so does the commander in chief
OF the armies in India. Those who ap-
pointed Lord Louis to that responsible
command were aware of the inevitable
Jealousy which exists in Britain between
the senior service (the navy and the
army. They all realized it would be
difficult for very young admiral, who
had proved his mettle only as a de-
stroyer squadron commander, to impose
himself on the military, who would form
the major part of his force.
But on the other hand it was argued
at Quebec that the cousin of King
George would be regarded mostly as
royalty by the army and thus the
jealousies between the services would
be obliterated At the same time
Chang would not fail to be impressed
with the rank of the new commander
IN chief with whom he was supposed
to work In the closest cooperation.
Things went smoothly at first Mount
batten was given some support. After
the Italian collapse invasion barqes
and part of the Mediterranean fleet
were sent or ordered to the Indian
Ocean. His operations had to be am
phibious; hence the need for barges
and men of war. Ambitious plans were
drafted by Mountbatten and his staff:
had they materialized they would have
been very spectacular indeed. But this
is a global war in which military
matters must be subjected to political
considerations.
Dissatisfied at Conferences.
At Cairo Gen. Chang and Nine.
Chang met President Roosevelt and
Prime Minister Churchill. The meet
ing was cordial enough but the results
were not satisfactory to the Chinese
leader Like the general public which
had read the official communiques from
Quebec he believed the Allies meant
business in the Far East and he was
when he was informed
that the European War must be ended
first.
Prime Minister Churchill, who ap-
parently predicated his Indian Ocean
m invasion of r,,roya