PACIFIC COUNCIL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1942, Page 4

PACIFIC COUNCIL

NEWS OF NAVAL BATTLE WELCOMED BUT CONTINUING DANGER RECOGNISED. NEED OF KEEPING FACTS FROM ENEMY. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 13. At the Pacific War Council meeting today, members unanimously, but dautioijsly regarded the Coral Sea battle as good news. Dr T. V. Soong (China), as spokesman after the meeting, told the Press that the council had reviewed the entire South-West, Pacific situation and was encouraged by the Coral Sea battle, but he reminded his hearers that the war was not over and Japan not defeated. Therefore, the South Pacific was not free from new danger. Mr McCarthy (Canada) pointed out that the forces engaged in the Coral Sea battle had been relatively light and that therefore the result was in no way conclusive from a victory standpoint there, or in the war as a whole. Dr Soong said the council had studied war production figures, . which were most gratifying. He referred to Burma and said' Chinese troops were still in Burma and would prevent Japanese consolidation there. Dr Soong; said President Roosevelt had urgently stressed, in a general warning, the importance of using extreme discretion when, military operations were about to be undertaken. He pointed out that Mr Churchill last Sunday had referred to anxiety about Madagascar in. this respect. Dr Soong said the council was disturbed by “too much loose talk.” He believed there was a genuine danger to the Allied cause in various sources giving away information of real value to the enemy. Lord Halifax, who accompanied Dr. Soong at the Press conference after the council meeting, explained that this referred particularly to the principals of the Allied governments and generally to various officials, as well as to the Press speculating or forecasting future moves. The council desired to give a general warning that it' was of the utmost importance that the utmost discretion should be used when a military operation was pending. Mr McCarthy said President Roosevelt had lectured the council on the urgent necessity “for all of us to be careful what we say.” TOKIO CLAIM CHINESE UNITS IN BURMA ISOLATED. DESTRUCTION OF BRIDGE OVER SALWEEN. (Received This Day, Noon.) NEW YORK, May 13. The Tokio radio claims that the Chinese units remaining in Burma were isolated when the Japanese destroyed a bridge over the Salween River.