Evening star., 1942-05-09
jap Naval Exhaustion
Seen as Result of
Heavy Battle Loss
Sudden New Enemy Blow:
Likely; Conflicts
Tide Still Unturned
BY the Associated Press.


Japan was regarded in Wash
ington today as headed toward
eventua naval exhaustion
through such wearing losses as
those in the Coral Sea.
But observers cautioned that the
tide of ocean battles was still un-
turned and looked for sudden new
Japanese blows-possibly continu-
ance of the southwark thrust to-
ward Australia
In the absence Of an official final
summary of the fight there was a
tendency to believe that the Jap
anese had suffered far heavier losses
than the American units.
Jap Claims Discredited.
Many saw an indication of this in
the Navy's statement last night that
"details Of losses and damage to our
forces are not fully known at pres
ent, but no credence should be given
to claims that have been or may
be put out by Toxic"
II the Japanese had sunk even
ship for ship, observers said, the
engagement would still be an Allied
victory from the long term view.
The reason is that the Japanese are
believed to be unable to build fast
enough to replace the major part
OF their losses. American building
is thus far ahead of what the Axis
has been able to sink.
The Navy Departments latest Off
cial summary on the Coral Sea
fighting was issued last night, be-
fore a temporary end of the battle
had been announced in Australia.
and gave this accounting of Japa-
nese losses since the action started
Monday:
Sunk-One aircraft carrier, one
heavy cruiser one light cruiser, two
destroyers, four gunboats, two trans
ports or cargo vessels.
Damaged-One aircraft carrier,
one heavy cruiser. one light cruiser,
one seaplane tender, two transports
or cargo vessels.
This brings Japanese aircraft car
rier losses to at least two, cruisers
to 19 and destroyers to u since the
start OF the war-a rate of sinking
too rapid for the shipyards of Nip
pom to replace. 1t is especially seri-
Gus for the Japanese in the cruiser
class. There the losses are about IS
per cent of the cruisers listed in
most manuals as built or building
by Japan at the start of the war
The destroyer losses would be about
20 per cent.
Yet despite these setbacks the
Japanese still have a formidable
battle fleet. They have lost only one
old battleship of the 10 built and
eight building they are believed to
have had before Pearl Harbor. And
they have the tremendous advantage
over the Allies of operating near
bases along the length of their war
lane from Japan to New Guinea.
In any foray toward America
however, they would have to fight
on even terms Vice President Wal
lace's prediction in New York last
night that the Japanese might at
tack Alaska or the Northwest Pacific
coast sharpened speculation that the
apparent japanese determination tc
push southwark may be a diversion
Prepared to RepuIse Thrust.
Informed legislators expressed
confidence that the United States
was we'll prepared to repulse any
thrust against the Alaskan main
land or the Pacific northwest.
Chairman Connally of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee said
there was no doubt in his MIND
that Japanese move toward Alaska
or the American coaStline would be
met with such devastating force
that it would be overcome easily.
we can fly planes to Alaska in
two days and we would put plenty
of additional fighters and bombers
in there If any such move as that
should develop" he told reporters.
Senator George, Democrat, OF
Georgia, said it was entirely pos
sible that Hitler might force Japan
into an attack on Siberia to divert
part of the Russian strength but
he did not believe anything more
than "sideswipe" foray would be
attempted against Alaska or the
Pacific coast.
Like some other members of Con-
gress, he was inclined to view the
great naval battle now in progress
in the Coral Sea as crucial point
in the war with Japan. II the
japanese could be prevented from
obtaining their objective there and
a considerable part of their naval
forces destroyed, he said, there
would be renewed hope Of United
Nations offensive in the Southwest
Pacific.