BASES NEAR JAPAN

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23289, 27 August 1945, Page 5

BASES NEAR JAPAN

“Potentially Explosive Internationally” (7.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, Aug. 25. Admiral Raymond Spruance (Fifth Fleet Commander) told a Press conference that Okinawa was extremely valuable strategically, but potentially explosive internationally. -It would be a sore point with us if a foreign Power held a string of islands blockading our coast.” he said. “The United States, even without the Ryukyus, controls a vast arc of bases stretching through Japan’s former mandated territories, and additional bases, though important, are not vital. The Iwo Jima and Philippines bases are extremely important strategically, but bases on the Asiatic Continent are not necessary and possibly dangerous politically.” Admiral Spruance added: “Japan is in no position to rampage again, but we will not hinder friendly relations in future.' Referring to the occupation. Admiral Spruance said: “Even if unopposed, the seaborne landings will be hazardous. •Super-Fortresses have sown the coa. tai waters thickly with mines. I want no collisions with them, because it would cause repercussions at home in an erroneous belief that Japan was sabotaging the laiiding ;. The Japanese as far a.s I can sec; are doing everything possible to accede Io General MacArthur’s wish.es.”