Evening star., 1949-01-02

Tor our Soviet friends to purchase
these in America and send them to
Vladivostok and Nikolaevsk than
to ship gasoline from Baku ana
other oil-producing ce;lters in
European Russia.
Strategy Becomes Clear
These men and planes are not
stationed in what once was the
wasteland of Siberia for purposes
of sport and recreation. Obviously
they have a definite mission. Since
we would not move in that area,
even if we had aggressive inten-
tions toward the U. S. S. R., the
logical conclusion is that these
troops and planes have been located
where they will be handy in case
Russia decides to carry out another
Pearl Harbor on Alaska.
The Alaska Territory-and this
may sound strange to the average
Americans completely defense
less. The few troops we had there
last summer-some 1000 in all
have been moved back to the United
States, because not enough money
was appropriated to provide them
with winter quarters. 1t is no ex-
aggeration to say that today the
Soviets could move into Alaska
without meeting more than per-
functory opposition from the ground
crews on our airfelds.
What is more tragic Is that If
Russia decides to put its scheme
into effect and the Moscow dlcta-
tors act in the same manner as
TOTO did December 7, 1941, the
Soviet forces would face no mora
than two and a half fully trained
divisions, which is all we possess in
the continental territory of the
United States. So much for the
short-range danger to this country.
Weak in Pacific
Our position in the Pacific is be-
coming weaker by the day. The
Nanking government and General
issimo Chang may be considered as
eliminated from the international
picture. Strategically vital Man.
churia now is in the hands Of the
Reds. The most optimistic esti-
mates are that it will not be long
before the democratic" government
of North Korea takes over the
south, where a free government
has been established. Korea is OF
strategic Importance because of its
proximity to the japanese islands.
In his frequent and alarming re-
ports from Tokyo, Gen. Macarthur
repeatedly has pointed out that the
establishment of the Reds on the
Yangtze River and in Korea will
make his position in Japan unten-
able, unless large reinforcements
are sent to him from the United
States. He has explained that with
the Russians making great strides
on the Asiatic mainland, our posi-
ton in Japan is rapidly deteriorat-
ing. The Japanese Communist
movement, which only a year ago
was hardly noticeable, is gaining
new strength among the Socialists.
Japan cannot produce and sell
unless it has free access to the
Chinese mainland, and especially to
Manchuria With that whole area
in the hands of the Communists,
Japan has only dim prospects for
the future and her sole hope, say
the representatives of business, lies
In closer association with the Com
munists. Since this is not possible
unless Japan embraces the Com
munist form of government, they
believe that Japan ultimately will
be compelled to do SO, although 1t
will involve giving up the Emperor
and all of Japan's traditions.
Concern in Hokkaido
Gen. Macarthur does not conceal
his concern over a possible Russian
coup in the near future in the island
of Hokkaido. He remembers that
in December, 1945, when Secretary
of State Byrnes went to Moscow to
discuss the various problems with
Foreign Minister Molotov, he agreed
in principle to the Russian demand
that Russian troops participate in
the occupation Of Japan, in accord
ance with the Japanese armistice.
He also yielded to the request by
Mr.. Molotov that Russian troops be
separated from other forces of oc-
cupation and be permitted to take
over Hokkaido.
Energetic protests from Gen.
Macarthur, who claimed the right
as supreme commander of the AL
lied powers to designate the num-
bers of troops and their assignment,
compelled our Government to refuse
to confirm the agreement, which -
believed to have been verbal.
But the Russians did not give
up. Because of diplomatic and other
considerations they did not insist.
But there are reports now from
Moscow and Vladivostok that Gen.
Macarthur might be confronted
one of these mornings by strong
Soviet expeditionary force ready to
take over Hokkaido, in accordance
with the armistice terms.
The British, Australians and
French have withdrawn practically
all of their troops from Honshu.
BY the end Of March there will be
only a corporals guard in that Jap
anese island. We still have about
100, 900 men in Japan, with half
that number combat troops. But
unless they are strongly reinforced,
they will not be able to cope with
the situation.
i This is not, of course, a cheerful
New Year picture. But unfortunate
lv ~ ic a corront ona Tn o,,r oSFort q