VITAL BASE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 December 1941, Page 3

VITAL BASE

DEFENCE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UTMOST

STATE MENT/BY CHURCHILL.

REPLIES TO AMERICAN PRESSMEN.

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) WASHINGTON, December 24.

“We are going to do our utmost to defend the vital base of Singapore and its approaches till the situation becomes so favourable to us that a general offensive in the Pacific can be resumed,” said Mr Churchill at a joint Press conference with President Roosevelt. He said the Allies were working in complete unity of action in the south-western Pacific.

“Absolutely none,” was Mr Churchill’s reply to a question whether he had any doubt as to the outcome of the war. He said the German losses ir. Russia were not considered to have been enough to affect German striking power at the moment: The Allies should bank on an external knock-out of Germany rather than an internal collapse. He issued a warning that there was no reason to think that Germany would run short of materials. He said he could not describe his feelings of relief to find Russia victorious and America and Britain standing side by side. Questioned whether he anticipated a German .offensive on a new front, Mr Churchill said there had.been a lot of talk about such an offensive in the Mediterranean and of an invasion of England next year. He thought something was coming, but could not tell when or where.

As for a supreme Allied military commander, Mr Churchill said he thought it would be very difficult to arrange. He pointed out that the war was world-wide on land and sea. He added that he did not think there had ever been a man born who could assume the functions of world command-er-in-chief. Mr Roosevelt remarked that Australia and New Zealand were definitely in the danger zone and Mr Churchill reminded him that Canada was also in the firing line. Mr Roosevelt said the whole war conference programme was progressing very satisfactorily.

Mr Churchill received a great ovation from the journalists. He was accompanied by a large staff of experts.

ADDRESS TO CONGRESS AT INFORMAL JOINT SESSION. WASHINGTON, December 24 ; Mr Churchill will address an informal joint session of Congress’ at 12.30 on December 26. Washington officials hint that Mr Roosevelt may attend the address and also say that members of Cabinet and the Supreme Court have been invited. Mr Churchill’s address will be broadcast.

WAKE ISLAND PROBABLY CAPTURED BY JAPANESE AFTER GALLANT DEFENCE. TWO ENEMY DESTROYERS SUNK. NEW YORK, December 24. A United States Navy Department communique states: “Radio communication with Wake Island has been severed, and the capture of the island is probable. Two enemy destroyers were Jost in the final landing operations.” It had been announced yesterday that Japanese had effected a landing on the island. 1 It is officially claimed in Tokio that Wake Island is entirely in Japanese hands. Tokio radio admitted that the Japanese Navy lost two destroyers in the landing operations. Another message states that the defending force on Wake Island consisted of fewer than 400 United States Marines.

A naval communique in Washington said yesterday that there had been no enemy activity in the vicinity of Midway Island. A ' later . U.S. Navy communique states that Palmyra Island, and Johnston Island have been shelled by enemy submarines. There were no casualties or damage at Palmyra, and negligible damage was done at Johnston Island.

A Honolulu message says that.large reinforcements of fighter and bomber planes have arrived from the mainland. The Japanese attacks of December 7 have not changed the opinion that the American planes and pilots are superior to the Japanese in every respect. JAPANESE REPORT (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, December 25. The United Press of America intercepted a Tokio radio message, announcing that Hong Kong had surrendered. Imperial Headquarters in Tokio announced that the Japanese Command had ordered a cessation of hostilities at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, after the British garrison had surrendered at 5.30 p.m.