ROCKETS IN PACIFIC

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30147, 3 June 1963, Page 13

ROCKETS IN PACIFIC

U.S. Watch On Soviet Tests

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright)

HONOLULU. May 30

United States Navy data on recent Soviet rocket tests in the Pacific are probably only slightly less complete than the information gathered by the Russians themselves. United Press International reported. But officially the headquarters of Ute Commander-in-Chief of Pacific Forces; Admiral H. D. Felt, refused comment when questioned about Russian allegations of snooping by American ships.

However, other sources in Honolulu said American naval vessels were sent into the target area, tracked the Russian rockets on radar, pin-pointed their landings' and probably got some excellent photographs.

Russian communications frequencies were also monitored during the tests and new radar installations on Eniwetck atoll tracked the missiles. At least two of the Soviet rockets were fired during the test series, one 'on May 18 and the other on May 25. They travelled about 7500 miles to land in the Central Pacific south and west of Hawaii.

Only one United S’ates command admitted having a ship in the restricted target area. The Coast Guard said cne of its cutters had entered the zone “by accident” but left "as soon as it received word of the restriction."