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UNITED STATES naval forces are cooperating with the army and air forces to repel heavy Japanese attacks on the island of Luzon, in the Philippines, stated a U.S. Navy Department's communiqué issued from Washington late last night. "There is no confirmation of the alleged occupation of Guam by the japanese, the communiqué. The resistance of Wake and Midway islands continues." Jap Paratroops There The Japanese appear to be intensifying their offensive on the Philippines, where, following heavy raids, they seem to have improved their hold in the north of Luzon. Further troop landing are reported to have been made under naval protection. United States and japanese warships have clashed in the Pacific, some distance from Manila, but the Japs made off in the darkness. Admiral Hart, C.-in-C. of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet, said yesterday, however, big results were expected from the U.S. submarine fleet when they report. The Admiral admitted that Japanese air raids had caused heavy damage in the Philippines. At Cavite, south of Manila, he said, there were extensive fires, and great damage was done to ships. The U.S. War department reported last night that attempted Japanese landings were repulsed south of Vigan, north of San Fernando, and at Lingayen. All three places are on the west coast of Luzon. Enemy parachutists were admitted to be operating at Yuguegaro and Ilagan in north-east Luzon. Marines Stand Firm The War Department's communiqué said that General Douglas MacArthur, commanding the U.S. Far Eastern Army had reported concentrations at Legaspi and off the west coast of Zambales. United States marines (leathernecks to all Americans) had done a magnificent job in defending the island of Guam, said President Roosevelt in Washington yesterday. They had withstood all the Japanese assaults. On Wake Island, the important U.S. Navy and air base 2,400 miles west of Honolulu, Mr. Roosevelt stated, another small force of "leathernecks" is also defying frequent enemy assaults. A Vladivostok message picked up yesterday by Radio Royal, the DAILY SKETCH listening station, said that British, U.S. and Dutch forces had occupied a Japanese base in the Marshall Islands. 30 Planes Lost The Japanese admitted last night that they lost 30 planes in the attack on Pearl Harbour, according to German radio. "In comparison with the success achieved this loss must be considered small," was said to be the comment of a japanese officer eye-witness. Tokyo now claims that as a result of attacks on Hawaii, Wake Island, Guam, the Philippines and Singapore air domination in the south-western Pacific is already in the hands of the Japanese.
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