The Naval High Command, after reviewing the Pacific naval situation, has decided definitely to recommend the retention of the United States Fleet in Hawaii poised equally for movement eastward or westward, authoritative circles said yesterday.
'Naval chieftains took the position that the Fleet must remain' within sailing distance both of the Caribbean' Sea and the Far East, They said that this would be best achieved by the Fleet's remaining at Hawaii, Proposals to dispatch the Fleet to the Far East, west coast bases and the Carribeans tentatively have been rejected pending diplomatic develop ments, Informed sources emphasized that this naval viewpoint has not yet been reviewed in light of the Chief Exfecutive's International naval and diplomatic objectives, The prevalent opinion is that the Fleet must remain within reach of the Atlantic Ocean, should develop-monts "there take An unfavourable Meanwhile, the Navy is not adverse to some strengthening of the Asiatic Meet as a reminder that the United 'States' attitude toward the Japanese policy in the Far East is unchanged.
The naval strategy behind this viewpoint is that air and submarine bases at Manila could make the supply route between Japan and the Netherlands East Indies extremely uncertain if open conflict developed.
'On the other hand, diplomatic cir cles believe that the United States policy' in the Far Eust for the time being is a moral attitude and that the US. is refraining from overt moves unless Japan takes the initi tive united Press,
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