Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-04-29
Lord Mountbotten Is Confident
Jops Can't Cut Link to China
BY THOBURN WANT,


BY THOBURN WANT,
Associated Press War Correspondent
SOUTHEAST ASIA HEADQUAR-
TIERS, Handy, Ceylon, April %
Admiral Lord Louis Mountainous
headquarters, replying to questions
submitted by the Associated Press,
declared today that the japanese
drive in India had not dislocated
the Allied strategic schedule or de-
layed completion of the Ledo road
to China and that there was no
justification for uneasiness in
America.
The statement said, however, that
the japanese have strong land
forces in Burma-stronger than the
general public probably thinks-and
since they have the advantage of
interior lines of communication we
must always expect some offensive
action on their part on one or other
sectors of the front Hard fighting
lies ahead of us in Burma"
Official Statement Issued.
The statement, handed out to all
American and British newsgather-
ing organization, follows:
THE Associated Press has asked
its correspondent at SEAC head
quarters at Ceylon to obtain an Of
fetal statement on the military sit
uation in Burma and specific an
swers to six questions.
1.-The agency adds: Lack of an
authoritative statement on the As
sam situation is creating in Amer
lea uneasiness and a feeling that
the true picture is being withheld. 4"
There is no justification for such
uneasiness and, as far as military
security permits, here are the an
swers to the questions.
Il. Has the Allied strategic sched-
ule been seriously dislocated by the
japanese Manipur advance?"
Answer - The Allied strategic
schedule has not been dislocated by
the japanese offensive. The ques-
ton, however, raises many points
which are dealt with more fully in a
general statement which follows
these answers.
No Delay on Road Work.
90. Has completion of the China
road been delayed?"
Answer - No. The japanese
thrust to Imphal caused on delay
whatever in the progress of the Ledo
road. Up to date, in fact, the re-
verse has taken place. Had the
japanese concentrated against the
Chinese Army on the Ledo front in
stead of the British 4th Corps on the
Imphal front the Chinese advance
toward Myitkyina (major Japanese
base in North Burma) could not
have progressed as far as it has
done.
"3 Is the threat greater to the AL
lies than the threat to the japanese
OF the Allied drive toward Myit-
kyina?
"Answer-To compare the threat
exerted by the Japanese in their Of
fensive with the Allies threat
against Myitkyina would be mis-
leading. 1t is impossible to compare
the relative degree of threat based
on operational strategy with one
based on long-range strategy.
Discussion of Future Avoided.
"a. viii this force postponement
of large-scale land operations be-
yond next autumn?
Answer. Obviously for security
reasons direct reply cannot be
given to this question,
IS. About the Allied forces now
behind the japanese lines-will their
supply be hampered?
Answer. No. The airfieldS from
which the aircraft fly to supply the
Allied forces now behind the Jap
anese lines are firmly in our hands
and we have air superiority.
IS. Surprising the Assam lines of
were cut-would
that compel withdrawal of these
troops?
Answer. No"
Front Is 800 Miles.
The general statement follows:
In considering the Allied cam
paign in Burma it must be remem-
bered the front stretches 800 miles
from Arakan through Chindwin and
Valley to Yunnan. 1t is
dense jungle country and conditions
make it impossible, with the num-
Der of troops available, to prevent
the enemy with interior lines of
communications and with minimum
requirements from un-
dertaking deep generations. We
ourselves have effected much deeper
penetration in another way by the
use OF air-borne forces.
"A penetration recently was eff
fected by the japanese on the I'm
phal front. 1t was not unexpected
and its aim is partly for its value
as political propaganda. It's mill
tary aim is probably to establish
japanese forces in a tactically IA
vorable position afforded by the
Imphal plain and from there to in
terrupt the Assam lines.
ut must be remembered such