MAJOR REVERSE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 133, 8 June 1942, Page 5

MAJOR REVERSE

JAPANESE NAVY

Balance Of Sea Strength

Changing

L nitecl Press Association.—Copyright. SYDNEY, this day

Rec. 2 p.m.

Authoritative sources draw two rather optimistic conclusions from the heavy Japanese reverse in the Midway Island sea battle, says the Daily Telegraph's Melbourne correspondent, firstly that the invasion threat to Australia has temporarily eased and secondly that a very decisive step has been taken towards paving the way for opening a second front in the Western Pacific.

The correspondent adds that responsible oflicers noted lor their caution in assessing the value of the naval and air clashes which have so far taken place are showing their first signs of jubilation. It is held as possible that the Dutch Harbour attack and the submarine penetration into Australian coastal waters were intended as diversions to scatter the Allied naval strengths. The Pacific High Command has refused to fall into the trap. The naval forces were held together and met the enemy attack at full action strength. The accepted official belief is that the Pacific war will be won or lost on naval supremacy. The Japanese cannot afford to lose any more of their aircraft carrier strength. Even their present losses will make access to the Western Pacific easier for all types of the American forces.