Washington, Nov. 15.
Military circles believed today that one important effect of Britain's successful air blow at Taranto would enable London th strengthen considerably its naval air arm in the Pacific.
Experts recalled that Mr. Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister, in claiming success at Taranto, asserted that the action decisively affected the balance of power in the Mediterranean and "carries with it a reaction on the entire naval situation in every corner of the globe."
Informed sources believed ' that Mr. Churchill unquestionably had the Pacific prominently in mind. It was regarded highly significant that almost simultaneously Air Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham was named commander-in-chief of the Reuter British Far East forces Informed sources believed that the appointment was a direct result of Japan's latest move. According to rê- ports from Shanghai the Japanese were mobilizing large forces suppos sodly for a southward push. It was widely believed that a thrust might be attempted against the Netherlands East Indies.
Experts believed that Japan would aim first at capturing or neutralizing Britain's great Singapore base if thrust were contemplated.
One uncertain factor was the outcome of conferences between Chan-<eNor Adolf Hitler and M. Vyacheslav Molotov, Russian Foreign Commissar. in Berlin. Informed sources said that if the Soviets agreed to some sort of cooperation with Germany, Italy and Japan, the latter might be able to divert some forces to the, detriment of the Allies and China United Press.
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