What This New War May Mean To Residents In Pacific

THERE is much information for which dwellers in the Pacific will be eagerly seeking, but which probably cannot be supplied for some time yet.

Here, however, are questions which are being asked everywhere, and to which we have attempted to give answers, in the light of the facts as known to day:—

(1) What Territories Are In

Actual Danger Of Attack—

Where Will Japan Strike?

At this moment, Japanese aeroplanes are striking, not only at Hawaii, but at me western coasts of North America.

This means that the Japanese strate gists, going apparently on the theory that they thereby can strike dismay into the hearts of the civil populations, are prepared to drop bombs from aircraft carried on naval carriers, at a distance of thousands of miles from Japanese bases. Therefore, until the Allies work out a co-ordinated plan of naval action against this extraordinary strategy, there is not an island in the South Pacific, nor a town in Australia, nor a point in the East Indies, which may be regarded as safe from sporadic Japanese attacks.

(2) Will Those Attacks

Come With The Force Of

Invasion, Or Will They Be

Raiding Or Nuisance Attacks?

There is no indication now that the Japanese are attempting large-scale in vasion at any place except Thailand— although there are indications that attempts are being made to seize and occupy some of the Philippine Islands.

It is inconceivable that Japan will send away masses of sea-borne troops unless she is assured of command of the North Pacific. She cannot gain that command until she has conquered the American and British fleets.

(3) To What Extent Will

Communications And Trade

Be Interfered With?

It is obvious that, for a considerable time, all our sea-borne commerce in the Pacific will be seriously disorganised. It is known that, simultaneously with the launching of the treacherous attack upon American and British ports, the Japanese released in the Pacific and Indian Oceans large numbers of mer chant raiders—small warships, sub marines, armed merchantmen, and planes.

These craft will attack our unprotected shipping, and our isolated and unpro tected communities, all over the Pacific.

It is to be expected that, while the Allies are creating a naval organisation which will sweep these pestiferous craft off the seas, our communications with all Islands ports will be disorganised. Vessels using the principal sea-lanes probably will have to proceed in convoy. For a time, prob ably several months, the residents of the Pacific territories must expect all the in conveniences and loss of irregular mails and supplies.

(4) What Is Expected To Be

The Course Of The War—

That Is, When Will The

Japanese Be Driven Back

Within Their Own Terri

Tories, And Our Seas Be

Regarded As Reasonably

Safe?

It is to be expected that the strategy of the Allies will provide, first, for de fence—that is, all our larger communities, within thrusting distance of the Japanese, must be put in a condition to defend them selves. After that, the Allies will set about clearing the seas of the enemy— and the simplest way to do that is to strike at him at home. When one deals with an octopus one does not attack the long, cruel, questing feelers—one goes straight at the body, and destroys that.

That is the obvious strategy in relation to Japan. But, probably, months will elapse before we can create the necessary organisation.

Meanwhile, it is well to remember that in the wide Pacific Ocean there are thou sands and tens of thousands of hide-out holes, where Japanese raiders may make their nests; and we know, only too well, that during the past 20 years these busy little men visited practically every one of those places, and charted it, and fitted it into a general raiding plan, for use on just such a day as now has dawned. The mopping-up of these forces and hide-outs, even after the head and body of the octopus have been smashed, will be a long and tedious task. (5) HOW LONG WILL IT BE BE

Fore The Combined Strength

Of United States, Britain .

China, Holland And (We

Hope) Russia Will Defeat

Japan, And Restore Peace To

The Pacific?

This clearly depends upon many things.

Britain rapidly is developing her maxi mum war strength, and can give a very good account of herself whenever neces sary; but the United States, only now, is seriously facing up to the colossal tasks of war, and a year or more may elapse before the great power of that nation can be exerted. China, undoubtedly, will hurl enormous masses of men upon the Japanese armies in China and Indo- China, but China must have munitions and equipment, and that problem is by no means solved.

If Russia, as our ally, goes to war against Japan, and strikes southwards from Vladivostok, the assistance which she can give to our cause will be enor mous, and perhaps decisive. But, up to date, there is no indication whatever that Russia is going to declare war against Japan.

There is also food for thought in the fact that while the United States, in a few minutes and with complete unanimity, issued a declaration of war against Japan, the United States has not de clared war on Japan’s allies —namely, Germany and Italy, We may as well face up to the fact that the Pacific is now to undergo a period of terrible disorganisation and con fusion, in which all the stamina of the Anglo-Saxon peoples, as a fighting race, will be called for.