Evening star., 1942-05-10

bombers, continuing their at
tacks on japanese naval
forces in the Coral Sea and
the LouiSiade Islands, dam
aged an enemy seaplane ten
der and tanker yesterday
and destroyed or damaged
four SeaplaneS, Gen. Mac
Arthur's headquarters an
nounced today.
Official reports fail to sub
stantiate japanese claims that
the United States has lost any
aircraft carrier or battleship in
the great Coral Sea battle, the
Navy announced last night.
A communique on the battle In
which II japanese ships were sunk
and 6 damaged before Japan's fleet
withdrew under terrific fire, did
not reveal United States losses. 1t
said: Reports of damage to our
forces are incomplete. They will
be announced when the informa-
ton will be without value to the
enemy"
Gen. Douglas Macarthur said in
q communique yesterday that the
United States losses were relatively
light" compared with the enemy's.
Japan has claimed that she sunk
or damaged ships and downed SO
planes. These claims Gen. Mac
Arthur branded as fantastic.
Text of Communique.
The Navy's communique last night
on the losses read:
Southwest Pacific:
Il. The Navy realizes that the
American public is aware of the
unreliable nature of any claims en-
anating from an enemy source.
"2 Recent announcements by the
enemy have made sweeping claims
regarding United States losses in the
DdItle Ol tNe COTdl Oed.
"3. Reports received in the Navy
Department to date fail to SUBJ
stantiate the loss of any United
States aircraft carrier or pattleship
in that action.
=. Reports Of damage to our
forces are incomplete. They will
be announced when the information
will be without value to the enemy
IS. There is nothing to report
from other areas"
Proof of Roosevelt's Words.
The communique was the latest
official word that this immensely
stirred capital has had on the first
flrst-class victory against Japan
Many regarded it as vivid proof
of President Roosevelts recent
statement that enough men and
materials had been poured into the
Australian area to check the south
ward drive of the japanese.
At the Capitol, some legislators
began to talk of an early offensive
In the Pacific. For one, Senator
Lucas, Democrat, of Illinois, de-
clared IF we have been able to
disperse the Japanese feet in this
first battle, as appears likely, our
continued efforts to supply Gen.
Macarthur with more men and ma
terials are likely to be decisive in
that area and there is no reason
why we cannot take the offensive
soon"
Calling the enga agement very
heartening victory" Senator George
Democrat, of Georgia, said the losses
sustained by the japanese might
check further moves by them for
long, long time. He said he
looked, however, for resumption OF
the sea battle.
Senator Bailey, Democrat, OF
North Carolina, commented that the
United States Fleet appeared tc
have won the first round, but that
more engagements could be ex-
pected.
I'VE need more news of this kind, >
said Senator Hatch, Democrat, OF
New Mexico.
High officials were reluctant tc
comment but made no effort tc
conceal their jubilation.
Secretary of State Hull told re
porters that he could only restrain
himself with difficulty from languag,
equal to the magnitude of the re-
tSee NAVAL, Page A-2)