DOWN TO 35 SHIPS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21830, 28 September 1945, Page 3

DOWN TO 35 SHIPS

JAP. MERCHANT FLEET BIG REPARATION TASK GARRISONS IN ISLANDS (11- a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 27. American Fifth Fleet investigators report that of their once globeencircling merchant marine fleet, Japan now has only about 35 ships suitable for the mammoth job of repatriating millions of subjects from Asia and the Pacific Islands, says the New York Times. Few of these vessels are more than 500 tons. The Japanese ships will be used wherever possible to return their garrisons, but unless the repatriation is carried out quickly the Allies wilf be saddled with the problem of feeding these people. American airmen and submarine crews reported that, in the* last six months of the, war they encountered few targets in the Japanese sea lanes. The submarines particularly met few ships worth the price of a torpedo. All the big ones had been sunk. Adrhiral Spruance’s Fifth Fleet this week took over the naval share of the occupation and will supervise the repatriation and other Japanese shipping movements under General MacArjhur’s orders. The clearing of mines will be among the fleet’s most important tasks for a considerable time. CHINESE FOR JAPAN '(10 am.) CHUNGKING. Sept. 27. The Chinese Government spokesman announced that Chinese troops would participate in the occupation of Japan. The force would be worked out on the basis of future necessities assessed by the co-operating nations