No Fleet for Japan After the War

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 55, 6 March 1943, Page 6

No Fleet for Japan After the War

WASHINGTON, Mar. 2. “Wc will utterly destroy the Japanese fleet before the war is over. When their fleet has been annihilated we will probably impose conditions preventing Japan from building another fleet sinee she has demonstrated that she is not qualified to possess one.’ ’ This statement was made by Colonel Knox (Secretary to the Navy), when testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Colonel Knox declared that the responsibility for policing the Pacific, and seeing that an aggressive Power did not raise its head there would rest largely upon the United States. Therefore, the United States must have adequate bases, so that her overwhelming sea and air strengths could operate wherever and whenever they were needed. The nucleus of such a system had already been created. Senator Yandcrberg expressed entire agreement with Colonel Knox’s views, but asked whether steps could be taken now while goods and services were being supplied and Lcase-or-Lend to assure the United States retention of these bases after the war. Colonel Knox replied that the United States had gone as far as possible now and added: “We are fighting in a common cause and have expended American money on these bases. I imagine that Hie Americans at the peace table can make a very strong case for retention of the bases.” »