Japs ‘ether wave victory’ in Aleutians draw scoffs
Authorities emphasize all is quiet ‘for the present;’ claims intended to cushion Jap public for shock
By Sandor S. Klein, United Press staff writer
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U.S. warships aiding British
Task force now on duty in European waters
By Edward W. Beattie, United Press staff writer
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2 fishing craft sunk by U-boat off East Coast
American and British vessels also torpedoed in Atlantic
By the United Press
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Airplane brings new era in reporting, Clapper says
World will be ‘city desk beat’ after war, he believes
By Raymond Clapper
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Völkischer Beobachter (June 12, 1942)
Die nördliche Angriffsroute der USA. ausgeschaltet –
Japan ist jetzt strategisch gesichert
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Mutual Aid Agreement Between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
June 11, 1942
Whereas the Governments of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declare that they are engaged in a cooperative undertaking, together with every other nation or people of like mind, to the end of laying the bases of a just and enduring world peace securing order under law to themselves and all nations;
And whereas the Governments of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, as signatories of the declaration by United Nations of January 1, 1942, have subscribed to a common program of purposes and principles embodied in the joint declaration known as the Atlantic Charter, made on August 14, 1941, by the President of the United States of America and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the basic principles of which were adhered to by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on September 24, 1941;
And whereas the President of the United States of America has determined, pursuant to the Act of Congress of March 11, 1941, that the defense of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics against aggression is vital to the defense of the United States of America;
And whereas the United States of America has extended and is continuing to extend to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics aid in resisting aggression;
And whereas it is expedient that the final determination of the terms and conditions upon which the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics receives such aid and of the benefits to be received by the United States of America in return therefore should be deferred until the extent of the defense aid is known and until the progress of events makes clearer the final terms and conditions and benefits which will be in the mutual interests of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and will promote them establishment and maintenance of world peace;
And whereas the Governments of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics are mutually desirous of concluding now a preliminary agreement in regard to the provision of defense aid and in regard to certain considerations which shall be taken into account in determining such terms and conditions and the making of such an agreement has been in all respects duly authorized, and all acts, conditions and formalities which it may have been necessary to perform, fulfill or execute prior to the making of such an agreement in conformity with the laws either of the United States of America or of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have been performed, fulfilled or executed as required;
The undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments for that purpose, have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE I
The Government of the United States of America will continue to supply the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with such defense articles, defense services and defense information as the President shall authorize to be transferred or provided.ARTICLE II
The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will continue to contribute to the defense of the United States of America and the strengthening thereof and will provide such articles, services, facilities or information as it may be in a position to supply.ARTICLE III
The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will not without the consent of the President of the United States of America transfer title to, or possession of, any defense article or defense information, transferred to it under the Act of March 11, 1941, of the Congress of the United States of America, or permit the use thereof by anyone not an officer, employee, or agent of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.ARTICLE IV
If, as a result of the transfer to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics of any defense article or defense information, it becomes necessary for that government to take any action or make any payment in order fully to protect any of the rights of a citizen of the United States of America who has patent rights in and to any such defense article or information, the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will take such action or make such payment when requested to do so by the President of the United States of America.ARTICLE V
The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will return to the United States of America at the end of the present emergency, as determined by the President of the United States of America, such defense articles transferred under this agreement as shall not have been destroyed, lost or consumed and as shall be determined by the President to be useful in the defense of the United States of America or of the Western Hemisphere or to be otherwise of use to the United States of America.ARTICLE VI
In the final determination of the benefits to be provided to the United States of America by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics full cognizance shall be taken of all property, services, information, facilities, or other benefits of considerations provided by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics subsequent to March 11, 1941, and accepted or acknowledged by the President on behalf of the United States of America.ARTICLE VII
In the final determination of the benefits to be provided to the United States of America by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in return for aid furnished under the Act of Congress of March 11, 1941, the terms and conditions thereof shall be such as not to burden commerce between the two countries, but to promote mutually advantageous economic relations between them and the betterment of worldwide economic relations. To that end, they shall include provision for agreed action by the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, open to participation by all other countries of like mind, directed to the expansion, by appropriate international and domestic measures, of production, employment, and the exchange and consumption of goods, which are the material foundations of the liberty and welfare of all peoples; to the elimination of all forms of discriminatory treatment in international commerce, and to the reduction of tariffs and other trade barriers; and, in general, to the attainment of all the economic objectives set forth in the joint declaration made on August 14, 1941, by the President of the United States of America and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the basic principles of which were adhered to by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on September 24, 1941.At an early convenient date conversations shall be begun between the two governments with a view to determining, in the light of governing economic conditions, the best means of attaining the above-stated objectives by their own agreed action and of seeking the agreed action of other like-minded governments.
ARTICLE VIII
This agreement shall take effect as from this day’s date. It shall continue in force until a date to be agreed upon by the two governments.Signed and sealed at Washington in duplicate this 11th day of June, 1942.
For the Government of the United States of America.
CORDELL HULL
Secretary of State of the United States of AmericaFor the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,
MAXIM LITVINOV
Ambassador of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics at Washington
U.S. Navy Department (June 12, 1942)
Communiqué No. 88
The Battle of Midway now makes it possible to release information in regard to the Battle of the Coral Sea. Holding up this information gave to our Navy security which was a cornerstone in building for the Midway victory.
In early March, the Japanese were observed to be concentrating transports and combatant ships in the ports of Salamaua and Lae on the island of New Guinea, apparently in preparation for an assault on Port Moresby on the south coast of the same island. The occupation of Port Moresby would have afforded the enemy a strategically located advance base from which promptly to make further attacks on northern Australia.
For some time the bases at Salamaua and Lae had been subjected to air attacks by U.S. and Australian shore-based aircraft from Australia. On March 10, a number of aircraft from a Pacific Fleet Task Force, under the command of Vice Adm. Wilson Brown, joined these shore-based planes in their successful attack on shipping and shore installations at the enemy bases. As announced in Navy Department Communiqué No. 57 of March 18, this attack resulted in the following damage to the enemy: the sinking of or damage to more than 20 Japanese ships and heavy damage to shore installations. The resulting disruption of Japanese plans delayed for 2 months any attempt of the enemy to advance by sea to the southward. The attacking force was described in the communiqué as U.S. and Australian island-based forces, since the participation of our carriers in that action had still not been discovered by the enemy.
During April, our Army reconnaissance planes reported that the enemy was once again concentrating transports, and the supporting elements, including aircraft from carriers and shore bases, preparatory to an attempt to advance into the Solomon and Louisiade Islands. In early May these advances were actually begun. Bases for land planes in both of these groups of islands were seized by the Japanese and the entire northern portion of the Coral Sea was subjected to daily reconnaissance by enemy shore-based aircraft.
On May 4, a task force of the Pacific Fleet under the command of Rear Adm. Frank J. Fletcher found a part of this Japanese invasion fleet at anchor in and near the harbor of Tulagi, the capital of Florida Island in the Solomon group. In spite of the excellent Japanese air reconnaissance facilities, Adm. Fletcher’s attack caught the Japanese forces completely by surprise and all but annihilated them. A few ships managed to get underway, but most of these were severely crippled and some were later beached to prevent their sinking. The results of this engagement, as announced in Navy Department Communiqué No. 77 of May 7, were as follows: the sinking of or damage to 12 Japanese vessels and the destruction of 6 aircraft. Our entire loss amounted to but 3 aircraft. On the following day a large four-engined flying boat was intercepted by our forces and shot down.
On May 7, Adm. Fletcher’s aircraft struck the main body the Japanese force in the Louisiade Archipelago off Misima. The new Japanese aircraft carrier, RYUKAKU, and a heavy cruiser were sunk. Fifteen bomb hits and 10 torpedo hits were reported scored on RYUKAKU which was turning into the wind, to launch her aircraft thus blasted. She sank in a few minutes with most of her planes on board. The enemy counterattack which followed was fought off successfully. During this day’s fighting, more than 25 enemy aircraft shot down as compared to our loss of 6. Shore-based Army aircraft from Australia assisted in reconnaissance both before and during the attacks and added their firepower to that of the attacking naval planes.
During the afternoon of May 7, Japanese aircraft located and bombed the U.S. tanker NEOSHO (AO-23) and its accompanying destroyer, the USS SIMS (DD-409), in the Coral Sea. The SIMS was sunk during the attack and the NEOSHO sank several days later as a result of the damage received during the bombing. A large part of the personnel from the NEOSHO and SIMS were rescued and have reached port. The next of kin of casualties are being notified.
On May 8, the same task force again carried the attack to the enemy and succeeded in inflicting serious damage on a second Japanese carrier, the SHŌKAKU, which was left ablaze as a result of bomb and torpedo hits.
During this same engagement the enemy launched a counterattack with aircraft while our planes were still attacking. The principal target was the U.S. aircraft carrier LEXINGTON (CV-2), flagship of Rear Adm. A. W. Fitch. In spite of skillful handling, all available fighter protection and anti-aircraft defense, the LEXINGTON was hit by two torpedoes and at least two bombs and was further damaged by several near misses. These attacks were the last action in the Battle of the Coral Sea. The crew of the LEXINGTON succeeded in putting out the fires and recovering her aircraft. Several hours after the battle, while steaming at 20 knots, terrific internal explosion rocked the LEXINGTON causing serious fires to break out in many parts of the ship. It was first thought that the explosion was the result of a “sleeper” bomb. Investigation revealed, however, that the probable cause was the ignition of gasoline vapors which resulted from leaks in ruptured gasoline lines in closed compartments below decks.
The crew fought heroically for more than 5 hours to save the ship but were at great disadvantage because the explosion had damaged much of the firefighting equipment. Destroyers were sent alongside to assist with their pumps, fire hose and chemical firefighting equipment. The wounded were transferred from the burning carrier to the destroyers alongside. Finally, with all machinery disabled, the ship stopped, and flames enveloping nearly her entire length, it became apparent that any further attempt to save her was futile and the captain ordered the crew to “abandon ship.” Men slid down lines from the carrier’s decks to boats from other ships while some crawled aboard life rafts and rubber boats.
Ninety-two percent of the entire ship’s company were rescued and have reached port safely. The only casualties were the result of the battle or the explosion and the resulting fire. The last man to leave his ship was her commanding officer, Capt. F. C. Sherman. As he slid to safety down a line from the deck into the water the torpedo warhead locker of the LEXINGTON exploded. After all men in the water had been rescued, the LEXINGTON sank with a final detonation which shook nearby ships.
The attacks on Salamaua and Lae and the Battle of the Coral Sea resulted in the disruption of two Japanese attempts to advance to the southeastward of New Guinea and cost them a total of more than 15 ships sunk, including:
- One aircraft carrier.
- Three heavy cruisers.
- One light cruiser.
- Two destroyers.
- Several transports and small vessels.
- Severe damage to and the probable sinking of 11 additional cruiser and 1 destroyer – and severe damage to more than 20 ships including 1 carrier, 3 cruisers, 2 aircraft tenders, 3 destroyers and the loss of more than 100 aircraft.
The LEXINGTON, NEOSHO, and SIMS were the only U.S. vessels lost as a result of the action in the Coral Sea and only minor damage was suffered by other vessels. The next of kin of all casualties in these ships are being notified as information is received.
President Roosevelt’s greeting at a garden party for the White House Army Guard
June 12, 1942
I am very glad to welcome all of you here today, and so is Mrs. Roosevelt. We have seen some of you outside the fence, and we are glad to have you inside the fence as well.
You are a symbol, this small group, of a great many thousands of officers and men of the Army who are guarding the nation’s capital. I think that perhaps some of you wish that you might have duty that is at least a little more exciting. I wish that I had duty a little nearer the front. And yet somebody has to do this kind of work. You and I among others.
And so I want to congratulate you on a very necessary part of the war, on doing a task with true efficiency. We may be here for a long time, but in the long run we are going to look back on this period of service as something that I think and I hope we can all feel proud of.
And so it has been good to see you. I wish I could come down and have a sandwich and a soft drink with you, but I have got to get back to work.
The Pittsburgh Press (June 12, 1942)
U.S. admits loss of big aircraft carrier –
15 Japanese ships sunk, 20 damaged in Coral Sea
100 of invader planes lost; two enemy invasion thrusts smashed
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Burning Lexington blew up like a giant firecracker
92% of crew saved before fire started by Jap bombs reached torpedo lockers
By W. F. Tyree, United Press staff writer
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Scrap rubber campaign will begin next Monday
Roosevelt address due tonight; filling stations will collect material and pay cent a pound for it
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Wins medals for feat –
Chris Herron dies like hero
Givers life to save five on bombing plane
By Harold Guard, United Press staff writer
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U.S. fliers describe how they gave Japanese a bloodbath in Coral Sea
By Frank Tremaine, United Press staff writer
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New U.S.-Soviet agreement pledges post-war cooperation
Pact alters Lend-Lease setup in plans for better world when conflict ends
By H. O. Thompson, United Press staff writer
Washington –
American officials were confident today that the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain and China – now joined in mutual assistant agreements – will be able to develop in forthcoming conversations the basis of a new and better world after the war.
The broad principles have already been set forth in the agreements signed by the United States with those countries. The one with the Soviet Union was signed last night by Secretary of State Cordell Hull and Soviet Ambassador Maxim Litvinov a few hours after the results of the recent conferences between President Roosevelt and Soviet Foreign Commissar V. M. Molotov were announced.
New talks due soon
The agreements with the three countries are basically the same – what have been called master Lend-Lease agreements. They pledge the signatories to furnish mutual aid in prosecution of the war against aggression to postpone settlement of Lend-Lease arrangements until after the war, and to cooperate in the post-war world under the broad principles of the Atlantic Charter.
The agreement with the Soviet Union was the first definitive action resulting from the recent Roosevelt-Molotov conversations but was entirely separate from the “understanding” reached by those two leaders who agreed that their countries would cooperate:
…in safeguarding peace and security to the freedom-loving people after the war.
The State Department announced that conversations would begin soon with the Soviet Union, and with Britain and China, to translate the mutual assistance agreements into practical measures for creating a peaceful post-war world. It was made clear that the signatories do not intend to wait until peace is restored to tackle the problems that must be solved if the objectives of the Atlantic Charter are to be attained.
It was conceded that the task before the four great Allied powers is not an easy one. It is complicated by their differing outlooks on types of government, economic system, attitude toward religion and other human endeavors springing from their Asiatic, European and American backgrounds.
Fail to mention Japs
The agreement with the Soviet Union was reached under the provisions of the Lend-Lease Act and does not require Senate ratification. It is similar in all basic respects to master Lend-Lease agreements signed with Britain and China. It has no direct connection with the 20-year mutual assistance pact between the Soviet Union and Britain.
The agreement does not mention Japan with whom the Soviets maintain formal tough delicate relations. It does not even include the word “enemy,” referring only to the “war against aggression.” The State Department announcement referred to the war “against the common enemy” without identifying the “common enemy.”
It was said in authoritative quarters that the question of territorial partition was not involved in the American or British negotiations with the Soviet Union.
The military objectives of the agreements are concerned with the “urgent tasks of creating a second front in Europe in 1942.” The economic objectives are concerned with promoting advantageous economic relations “by means of agreed action open to the participation of other like-minded countries.”
Fail to discuss religion
The different views toward religion of the United States and the Soviet Union did not figure in the negotiations which ended in yesterday’s agreement.
The Soviet Constitution guarantees the individual’s right to worship as he sees fit. But it prohibits propaganda activities by religious organizations.
The State Department said there was an exchange of notes by which previous Lend-Lease arrangements were rendered inoperative. They covered the approximately $2 billion advanced by the United States to Russia for war supplies. That loan will be adjusted after the war. The original agreement was for repayment, without interest, over a 10-year period starting five years after the end of the war.
The Soviet agreement, like the ones signed with Britain (Feb. 23) and with China (June 2), provides for settlement of Lend-Lease obligations on terms which will not inflict economic hardships on either country, for reduction of trade barriers and expansion of production, employment, and the exchange and consumption of goods, and in general to attain the economic objectives of the Atlantic Charter of last August.