AMERICAN FLEET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 December 1941, Page 6

AMERICAN FLEET

SEEKING THE JAPANESE

DETAILS OF PEARL HARBOUR

DAMAGE.

GIVEN BY COLONEL KNOX. LONDON, December 16. The United States Secretary of the Navy (Colonel Knox) stated that the entire American Pacific Fleet _ battleships, aircraft-car-riers, heavy and light cruisers, destroyers and submarines —was out looking for the Japanese Fleet. Details have been given of the American naval losses in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7. The six vessels sunk were the battleship Arizona, built in 1915, the training ship Utah, three destroyers and two smallei' craft. Ships damaged included the old battleship Oklahoma. Of the damaged vessels some have already been repaired, but others will be in dock for months. Colonel Knox said the Japanese attempt to cripple the American Navy before the war began had failed.

MR WILLKIE’S COMMENT

DAMAGE NOT AS SERIOUS AS RUMOURED.

(Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) .WASHINGTON, December 16.

Mr Wendell Willkie, after luncheon with President Roosevelt, at the White House today, said he was relieved to learn that the Japanese attack on Hawaii had not caused as serious results as had been rumoured. The damage was serious, but was insufficient to destroy American effectiveness. Mr Willkie also said President Roosevelt had not made him the offer of any position, nor was the position of an industrial moderator discussed.