DELAYED OFFENSIVES
HE various reputed dates for the opening of Hitler's spring offensive having been successively and uneventfully passed, the
e of the war still leaves feelings of expectancy unsatisfied. There , indeed, signs of a hardening of German resistance, and an ease of German counter-attacks, on the Russian front, and it is Bible that from this a full German offensive may gradually elop ; but it is certain that Russia has larger reserves to draw than Hitler, and the issue may turn largely on equipment. There no reason to believe the Russians are materially inferior in this, ugh they clearly need everything that Britain and the United tes can send them. The most open question is what Japan y be preparing. For the moment her advance is halted, except Burma, where it has been slowed down, but not completely ecked, by gallant and successful co-operation between British and 1inese. Within three weeks now the weather will make campaign- ig in that area difficult, and there is certain to be hard fighting tr the positions which Japan is bent on occupying before that rake on her progress is applied. Meanwhile, both India and ustralia are waiting, their defences growing stronger with every ly that an onslaught is delayed. General Wavell has warned the khan peoples that there can obviously be no guarantee against tempts at landings, but that they will be met with swift concentra- mi of air and land forces—the latter apparently now including oericans. Naval action on a major scale in the Indian Ocean is are than possible. As for Australia, Generals MacArthur and alley have had sufficient time to concert their defence plans, and nr air-strength is steadily growing. Australia can face develop- tilts with far more confidence than was justified a month ago.
