Final answer:
During the second phase of the Pacific War, neither side could muster the power to take the offensive and seize the initiative. The Battle of Guadalcanal was an example of this stalemate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phase being referred to in the question is the second phase of the Pacific War. During this phase, neither side had the capability to take the offensive and seize the initiative from the other, resulting in a relative stalemate. An example of this phase was the Battle of Guadalcanal, which exemplified the lack of progress made by both sides.