Sixteen More Japanese Ships Sunk

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 58, 11 March 1944, Page 5

Sixteen More Japanese Ships Sunk

America Will Keep Jap Mandated Islands (By Telegraph—Press Assn.-Copyright.) Received Friday, 10.50 p.m. WASHINGTON, March 10. United States submarines have sunk another 16 vessels in operations against the enemy in the Pacific and Far East waters, says a Navy communique. The ships were one small cargo vessel, nine medium cargo ships, two medium transports, two medium cargo transports, one large tanker and one large cargo transport. The Associated Press says a total of 627 Japanese ships have been sunk, probably sunk or damaged by submarines and 1362 through air and surface action. The communique does not specify the areas of operation, but American submarines are known to be operating in the coastal waters of Japan. Colonel Knox (Navy Secretary) told the Foreign Affairs Committee that the United States should retain possession of the Japanese mandated islands captured by the American forces although the question of the Japanese islands in the Pacific was a matter that must be worked out in connection with the peace settlement. His own personal opinion was that the United States should keep them as a question of military consideration. They had no value except military. Colonel Knox added that Japan must be disarmed and subjected to a waiting or educational period before being permitted to re-enter the concert oi nations.