BATTLE OF MIDWAY

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23661, 11 June 1942, Page 5

BATTLE OF MIDWAY

Optimism in U.S. MAGNITUDE OF VICTORY (Received June 10,11.15 p.m.) (N.Z.P.A.) NEW YORK, June 10. It is generally believed in Washington that the magnitude of the American victory off Midway Island is far greater th?n has yet been officially revealed, says the Washington correspondent of the “New York Herald Tribune.” He adds that some time during the week the full story will be told to the nation along with the long-delayed account of the Coral Sea battle. The official account is expected to reveal:—(l) That while Japan’s numerical losses may not be much larger than Rear-Admiral Chester W. Nimitz (Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet) estimated —13 to 15 warships sunk or damaged—the decisiveness with which the enemy was routed will surpass all previous suggestions; (2) American losses were so slight in comparison as to seem infinitesimal; (3) the Army, the Navy, and the marines share alike in the glory, with Midway Island’s land-based bombers playing a large part in the Japanese defeat. Intangible evidence of the good news is expected to have been furnished by the faces of Colonel F, Knox (United States Secretary for the Navy), Admiral E. J. King (Comman-der-in-Chief, United States Navy), when they left Mr Roosevelt’s office after a two hours’ conference. Both looked extremely happy. Effect of Air Power The “New York Herald Tribune” declares' editorially that the Midway Island battle provides another-impres-sive confirmation of the overwhelming power of the air arm in sea warfare, together with the relative uselessness of heavy battleships in first-line attack. The newspaper recalls the sinking of the Bismarck, the Prince of Wales, and the Repulse, and the neutralisation of the Tirpitz, in which the one-time backbone of the fleet collapsed under aerial attack. “Clearly air supremacy has become an absolutely critical factor in sea warfare, as well as in land warfare. Therefore the terrific destruction wrought upon the Japanese aircraft-carrier fleet is far more important than the damage the Japanese did to the United States battle line at Pearl Harbour, It is possible that we now hold supremacy in aircraft-carrier strength in the Pacific.” The "Herald Tribune" states in conclusion that it is unlikely that an Allied advance will be made over the long peripheral road via Australia: and the Netherlands East Indies, but rather upon the Japanese centre, striking direct at the home factories and training fields, which are the sources of Japan’s air strength. ' The War Department has released a congratulatory message from General George Marshall, Chief of Staff, United States Army, to General Emmons, commander at Hawaii, in which General Marshall commended the brilliant part played by army bombers in the Midway Island battle. He also expressed, deep appreciation for the very smooth efficiency with which General ; Ernmohs .- cooperated with Admiral Nintiter during the battle. A message from New York has been received stating that the situation in the vicinity of Dutch Harbour remains obscure, according to Admiral King, who spoke of a battle ,of manoeuvre which was still progressing, but did not explain the nature of the manoeuvre, according to an Australian Broadcasting Commission message. One reason for thfe absehep of news is the bad weather. ' - ■ The International News Service re? ports from Chungking that the' Japanese armada routed off Midway Island consisted of 54 to 56 war vessels, exclusive of transports, and also 200 aircraft. The formation is reported to have included four battleships, four to six aircraft-carriers, four heavy cruisers, five light cruisers, three seaplane tenders, and 34 destroyers. •MURDERS IX MELBOURNE , U.S. SOLDIER CHARGED COURT-MARTIAL OPENS . SITTINGS (Received June 11, 1.45 a.m.) MELBOURNE, June 10. After the counsel for the defence-had moved for a medical examination of Private Edward Leonski, aged 24, a United States' Army court-martial today adjourned the three charges against Leonski of having murdered women in Melbourne. Under normal procedure a medical examination might take three or four weeks. It will be carried out by a military medical board. The court-martial met In a small hall, all entrances to which wese closely guarded. The public was not admitted. All passes for officials, the press, and witnesses were closely scrutinised. The members of the court sat at a long trestle table, with a large American flag suspended overhead. Official observers included the Chief Commissioner of Police for Victoria (Mr A. N. Duncan) and senior Australian Army officers. The members of the court were 11 United States officers, presided over by a colonel. Counsel for the defence was provided by the United States Army. Leonski having intimated that he did not desire civilian counsel. Leonski did not avail himself of the opportunity of challenging any members of the court. The three charges were read by the trial judge advocate, whereupon counsel for the defence said it was the intention of the defence to raise the cmestion of accused’s mental capacity. That should be determined before making a plea. In view of the. seriousness of the charges, and the fact that there' were a great many witnesses, he recommended that to save the time of the court the court should rule that the procedure set out in the court-martial manual be followed and a report obtained on accused’s mental status. The trial judge advocate said the prosecution had no objection. The motion of counsel for the defence was allowed, the court-martial adjourning to a date at the call of the president. TAX PROPOSAL IN AUSTRALIA COMMONWEALTH AND . STATES (Received June 10, 5 p.m.) CANBERRA, June 10. The Commonwealth Government will fight the State opposition to uniform taxation in the High Court. This was announced by the Prime Minister (Mr J. Curtin) after he had received official advice that Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia are to contest the validity of the Commonwealth uniform ffivafinn flf'lfl Mr Curtin said: IThe Commonwealth will defend its own laws. What we have done has been dictated by an imperative sense of national responsibility towards the war. 1 cannot, for the life of me, perceive any unfairness or departure from stern logic in a situation in which a nation puts so large a number of its population into uniform and then levies a uniform tax in order to maintain its men in uniform. That is not a play on words, it is straight thinking." ... ......