Japan’S Pacific

Islands

Are They Fortified?—Pertinent Questions at Geneva

THE Japanese, for years, have kept Europeans out of the Pacific Islands north of the Equator, which they hold under mandate from the League of Na tions. The groups are: Marshall Islands —32 islands and 867 reefs, scat tered over 800 square miles of ocean. Popula tion; About 10,000.

Caroline Islands —549 large and small islands and reefs, containing 1320 square kilometres of land. Population: About 40,000. (This includes the Pelew (or Palau) group.) Mariana (or Ladrone) Islands —14 islands, con taining 639 square kilometres. Population: About 12,000.

A few Europeans have passed through the groups on direct steamers during the last 15 years, but no white men have been allowed to travel at will through the Territory. In consequence, there have been many startling stories in circulation about fortifications, etc., in the groups.

Japan’s announcements, in recent years, that she did not accept the authority of the League of Nations, and would in no circumstances surrender these Pacific groups, gave colour to the sinister ac counts of Japanese secrecy, activities, and intentions.

Therefore, the following report from Geneva on November 6 has a special significance for Pacific Islands residents: The Japanese delegate, Mr. Ito, was searchingly questioned at the meeting of the Mandates Commission, which for five hours discussed the Marshall and other Japanese mandated islands in the Pacific.

The Commission has called on Japan to explain the large expenditure on harbours and aerodromes. The chairman, Mar quis Theodoli (Italy) stated that it now rested on the Mandatory Power to dis prove the criticisms that had been made.

Delegates asked why aircraft and de stroyers of all nations were not allowed to use the facilities on the islands, and thus allay suspicion of the adaptation of the islands for naval purposes.

Mr. Ito’s explanation that the construc tion of the harbour at Saipan (chief town of the Marianas) was necessary owing to heavy seas and the obligation to provide facilities for vessels of 3000 tons did not appear to satisfy the Commission.

Asked why a big aerodrome was being built at Saipan, Mr. Ito replied that it was because aircraft could there study atmospheric and fishing conditions.

Marquis Theodoli (Italy) suggested that if Japan wished to dispel suspicion she could afford unrestricted access to the islands. He said it rested with Japan to

dispose of the allegations made against her conduct.

Mr. Ito deprecated newspaper references to the subject, and added: “The nations must exercise prudence, as there is trouble in that part of the world.”

A message from Washington on No vember 5 said: The revelation before the League of Nations Mandate Commission that Japan had refused the American Government permission to send a warship to the Mariana Islands to observe a solar eclipse in February was discussed cau tiously by the Acting Secretary of State (Mr. Phillips) to-day. He said the request had been made two years previously.

Japan had countered by offering a Japan ese vessel to carry the scientists, but later the expedition was abandoned and the matter had not been further con sidered.

Since Japan’s resignation from the League, the final disposition of the man dated islands, which lie in a strategic position between the Philippines and Hawaii, have been a constant source of speculation by observers of the Far Eas tern situation, but the State department has maintained and continued to maintain reticence.

Saipan is the name of the principal island and town in the Mariana Islands.

It is close to the large island of Guam, which also is in the Marianas, but is an American possession and naval station.