Japs May Reinforce Broken Fleet

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 109, 11 May 1942, Page 5

Japs May Reinforce Broken Fleet

“WRECKAGE OF HITLER’S HOPES ALSO" Received Sunday, 11.50 p.m. NEW YORK, May 10. Commenting on the Coral Sea battle Mr. Hanson Baldwin, a leading war commentator, says: “A clear picturo oi the battle is not yet available but Judging from fragmentary reports the action was not fought between main bodies or opposing fleets but between large task forces. The battle seems to be a prelude to greater actions since the official comment stresses that there is no ground for hope that the strength of the Japanese fleets has been broken. Japan will probably reinforce her naval units in the Coral Sea. One Japanese characteristic is tenacity. They will keep trying until they win or die. For them there is no middle ground. “Meantime the Japanese are still fighting in Burma and Southern China and also menacing India. With typicat Hitlerian technique they are threatening everywhere, thus masking their real intentions. But the naval battle of the Coral Sea may soon force the showing of their hand.

“In Europe Hitler still marks time as the ground dries on the eastern front. But this is an indivisible war and what happens in Russia is closely linked to what is happening In the South-western Pacific. The wrecks of Japanese ships littering the waters of the Coral Sea may typify the wreckage also of Hitler’s nopes."

Contrasting his view expressed yesterday on the Corai Sea battle, Aumiral Fletcher Pratt, in the New York Rost, -ays: “To-day things look so good that -hey could not look better. This is a victory. It should be realised, however, that it may be a temporary victory and the Japanese may return reinforced. This has been their method throughout the war. They are extraordinarily persistent and also have enough forces to make the next blow harder."

Most of the papers somewhat disregard General MacArthur’s warning against overgreat optimism with bannerlines on the front page: “Jap Fleet Smashed in Great Victory," and similar headings. The World- Telegram commentator says: “The battle will probably decide the fate of the South Pacific. Moreover, it will affect naval strategy and building everywhere." Mr. Cordell Hull told a press conference: “It Is difficult to refrain from expressions equal to the magnitude of the victory reported from the Coral Sea, but I cannot make a fuller statement until all the facts have been received*”