RELUCTANT JAP NAVY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 12 January 1944, Page 5

RELUCTANT JAP NAVY

COMMENT BY ADMIRAL HALSEY (Rec. 10.15 a.m.) Rugby, Jan. 11. A Washington message says .’Admiral Halsey, commenting on the apparent reluctance of the Japanese Navy to come out and fight, said: “Either the Japanese are saving their fleet until we approach the shores of the Japanese Empire or they think they can wear us down by attrition tactics and we shall get tired and make a peace suitable to them —which God knows I hope none will permit. We have got definite superiority in air, land and sea forces wherever we are. You can be sure we are going to keep on pressing and hitting him continually and unceasingly.” MAY BE SERIOUSLY CRIPPLED Asked if lie believed the Japanese Fleet could be considered badly crippled, Admiral Halsey replied: "Rather than badly; I would say seriously. Nevertheless, the enemy is capable of mustering enough for a serious battle.” Asked if there were any indication That the Japanese had‘been able to replace warship losses. Admiral Halsey said, “There is evidence that a building programme is proceeding which we believe is not going too well.” Asked if he considered it were necessary to capture Truk, the Admiral replied : “The only definite place which must be taken is Tokio.” Asked concerning Japanese hints of a major Pacific offensive this year, Admiral Halsey said there were no bigger liars in history than the Japanese. Regarding the enemy’s air strength he said: “Their planes are improved, but there is a very definite deterioration in Japanese pilots.” He added that the Japanese soldier's disposition to surrender was increasing