BRITISH PACIFIC FLEET

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23315, 26 September 1945, Page 5

BRITISH PACIFIC FLEET

Use Of Singapore (7.30 p.m.) NEW YORK. Sept. 24. Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser said that the British expert to base the main elements of the Pacific Fleet on Singapore, with some units at Hong Kong, and are keeping the fleet near its present strength of three battleships, four carriers, four light Carriers, nine cruisers, and 32 destroyers, says the Chungking correspondent of the “New York Times.” While full details of the extent ot the damage to Singapore harbour are not yet available, Sir Bruce Fraser expressed the opinion that the harbour is in fair condition, requiring only four or five months to repair bomb destruction and establish adequate storage facilities Questioned about the possibility of British and American co-opera-tion in the matter of Pacific bases, Sir Bruce Fraser replied, “We shall work independently.” He added that the British have been using Manus Island for a base as well as Australia. Asked if the Britisn desired other' bases, Sir Bruce Fraser pointed out that bases were very expensive. “Admiral R. Spruance told me that wages alone cost 1,000,000 dollars a day at Okinawa.” Sil- Bruce Fraser conferred witn Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek regarding life repatriation of 129.000 British prisoners of war and internees in ChiMH. which I’.rili !i 'hips have begun to evacuate. lie said that already 3000 or 5000 prisoners and Internees bail been removed from Hone Kong.