JAPANESE BOAST

Waikato Times, Volume 131, Issue 21752, 11 June 1942, Page 3

JAPANESE BOAST

OCCUPY ALEUTIAN ISLANDS REPLY BY UNITED STATES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright); (Received June 11, noon) NEW YORK, June 10 The Tokio official radio spokesman, Hiraide, in a nation-wide broadcast, declared that the Japanese force 3 were able to occupy the Western Aleutian Islands because the enemy is unable to send strong reinforcements on account of the strong Japanese attack on the Midway Islands, j The United States Navy Departj ment spokesman, commenting today j on the Japanese claim that troops I had been'landed on the Aleutian Is- | lands, said, according to a WashingI ton press message: “None of our inhabited areas, islands or rocks, have I been troubled with uninvited guests up to the present.” The spokesman added that he had no knowledge of any Japanese being on Alaskan soil. Naval observers in Washington doubt if the Japanese occupation of any of the Aleutian Islands would present any important threat to the American mainland, since few, if any, are suitable for the operation of land-based planes. RAIDER DESTROYED OFF COAST OF ENGLAND (Official Wireless) (Received June 11, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, June 10 A German fighter was destroyed by British fighters off the south-east coast this morning. Two enemy fighters were destroyed today during Royal Air Force offensive sweeps over Brittany. AMERICA’S VICTORY MIDWAY ISLAND BATTLE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, June 10 It is generally believed here that the magnitude of America’s victory off Midway Island is far greater than nas yet been Officially revealed, says the Washington correspondent !of the Herald-Tribune. The correspondent adds that some time during the week the full story will be told to the nation, along with the longdelayed account of the Coral Sea battle. The official account is expected to reveal the following:— 1. While Japan’s numerical losses may not be much larger than Admiral Nimitz estimated—l 3to 15 warships sunk or damaged—the decisive manner in which the enemy was routed will surpass all previous suggestions. 2. American losses were so slight in comparison as to seem to be infinitesimal. 3. The Army, Navy and Marines share alike in the glory, with Midway Island’s land-based bombers playing a large part in the Japanese defeat. Intangible evidence of the good news to be expected was furnished by the faces of Colonel Frank Knox, Secretary for the Navy, and Admiral King, Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, when they left President Roosevelt’s office after a two-hour conference. Both looked extremely happy. General’s Congratulations The United States War Department has released a congratulatory message from General G. C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, United States Army, to General Emmons, commander at Hawaii, in which General Marshall commended the brilliant part played by Army bombers in the Midway Battle. He also expressed deep appreciation for the smooth efficiency with which General Emmons cooperated with Admiral Nimitz during the battle. It is reported from Chungking that the Japanese armada routed off Midway Island consisted of from 54 to 56 war vessels, exclusive of transpons. also 200 planes. The formation is reported to have included four battleships, four to six aircraft carriers, four heavy cruisers, five light cruisers, three seaplane tenders and 34 destroyers. CENSORSHIP PLANS ACTION BY UNITED STATES (United Pro?? Assn.—Elec. Toi. Copyright) (Received June 11. 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, June 10 The Censorship Office has notified that confirmation copies of telegrams, radiograms and telephone messages between the United States and foreign countries will not be permitted in future. Henceforth all confirmation messages found in the mails will bo returned to the sender or suppressed. This action has been necessitated because of the danger that information of value to the enemy might be mailed abroad under the guise of ordinary confirmation.