China's Anxieties
In China, as in Australia, it is appreciated that Germany must be defeated before Britain and the United States can direct an all-out attack on Japan. But it is natural enough that in China, as in Australia, there should be questionings as to whether we could not do more to help. China had already been at war for years before we became embroiled with Japan. She may even doubt whether at this *stage she has been relieved of any of the strain by partnership with the Allies, since she has been deprived of the supplies which reached her by the Burma Road, and Japan has found new sources of supply in conquered territory. In the air, it is true, a considerable proportion of Japan's strength has been diverted to the Pacific and Burma fronts, and American airmen are fighting for China from Chinese bases. At the present stage of the war she feels herself scarcely less pressed than when engaged single-handed, and the economic strain on her re- sources is becoming more exhausting. If time is of the essence of the matter for Russia, it is also of great importance, though for different reasons, for China. Few will doubt that the Allied strategy is right in deciding to concentrate the maximum force to deal a knock-out blow at Germany—the sooner that is achieved the sooner can decisive help be sent to China. Yet such an amount of help has to be given her now as will enable her to hold her own. It would be dangerous indeed if that amount were underestimated.
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