CLAIM TO CONTROL PACIFIC

Southland Times, Issue 24650, 23 January 1942, Page 5

CLAIM TO CONTROL PACIFIC

JAPANESE BOASTING LONDON, January 21. Tokyo radio stated that in the Diet the Minister of the Navy, Admiral Shigetaro Shimado asserted that the Japanese Navy now virtually commands the entire Pacific from Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies to the west coast of the United States. He claimed the following achievements: — Warships sunk: Seven battleships, two aircraft-carriers, two cruisers, six destroyers, 18 submarines and 26 other warships. Warships damaged: Four battleships, six cruisers, one seaplane tender, three destroyers. Merchantmen sunk: 35. Merchantmen damaged: 28.

Aircraft damaged or destroyed: 977. He further claimed that Japanese submarines operating off the United States coast had sunk 10 vessels aggregating 70,000 tons and had also heavily damaged three others, totalling 30,000 tons and lightly damaged five totalling 40,000 tons. He admitted that Japanese naval losses since the war began were four destroyers, four mine-sweepers, three submarines, four transports anc 67 aircraft and also one cruiser slightly damaged. General To jo, the Prime Minister, when addressing the Diet, especially warned Australia and the Netherlands East Indies that “Japan will show them no mercy if they continue their resistance.” He also warned his own nation that Japan must be prepared to “meet the many difficulties and tribulations which will arise in the future from Britain and America’s determination to resist and turn the war tide.”

General Tojo added that Japan would gladly enable the Philippines to enjoy die honour of independence provided the Filipinos were willing to help achieve co-prosperity. Mr Kaza, Finance Minister, presented a record-breaking war Budget aggregating 8,700,000,000 yen.