Washington Jolted by Disclosures

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 256, 29 October 1942, Page 5

Washington Jolted by Disclosures

“CALAMITOUS” MISTAKES IN SOLOMONS (Special Australian Correspondent.) Received Wednesday, 10.30 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 28. From Washington further changes in the South-West Pacific commands are forecast. The fact that the recent revelations of the New York Times' military correspondent. Major Hanson Baldwin, were passed by the United States Navy Office, is held to confirm the Impression that these mistakes were calamitous. Washington has been Jolted by Baldwin’s disclosures, particularly his statement that the sinking of the four cruisers, including the Canberra, was the result of their being surprised “like sitting ducks and unable to get off more than a few ineffective salvos.” Declaring that either ViceAdmiral Halsey and General MacArthur should be put in charge of the whole South Pacific area, the New York Daily News says MacArthur’s original offensive plan against the Japanese (drive northwards via New Guinea) was preferable to the navy’s plan of attack from New Zealand through the Solomons, since it would have flanked the Solomons rendering them useless if not actually dangerous to the Japanese.