Navy Department Communique No. 18

DECEMBER 26, 1941

The Navy Department issued the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up to 9 a. m. (e. s. t.) today:

Far East.
Press reports of U. S. submarine activities in the Far East on Christmas Day are confirmed. A dispatch from Admiral Hart states that one enemy transport and one mine sweeper have been sunk. An additional transport and one seaplane tender are probably sunk.
Manila has been declared an open city as defined in Hague Convention (IV) of 1907, Annex, Article 25. Our forces have complied with the stipulations of that convention.

Central Pacific.
Enemy reports that 3,000 naval and marine personnel were engaged in the defense of Wake Island are incorrect. The total strength of the garrison was less than 400 officers and men. There were approximately 1,000 civilians engaged in construction work on the island, which may account for the enemy statement that 1,400 prisoners were captured.

Eastern Pacific.
Naval operations against enemy submarines are being vigorously prosecuted.
There is nothing to report from other areas.