"Nosing Around"

Japanese Ship in Tongan Waters

From Our Own Correspondent

Nukualofa, Dec. 14.

THE small Japanese trade promotion vessel “Takachiko Maru”, which was here last August, paid another visit on November 21. After a stay of four days, in which Japanese goods and films de picting Japanese industries and scenery were exhibited, she left on November 24.

A large number of pamphlets in Eng lish, dealing with the tourist attractions of Japan, Manchukuo and China, pub lished by the Japanese Board of Tourist Industry—in which the present Sino- Japanese war is referred to as the “in cident”—were distributed while the vessel was in port.

The visits of this Japanese vessel have caused the Tongan Customs officials some headaches. For instance, when the pilot went to meet her, on arrival, she refused to take him on board, and coolly made her own way through the intricate pas sages in the reefs into the harbour. This recalls that she also dispensed with the pilot’s service on her last visit, arriving several hours prior to the time previously advised.

Her movements in Tongan waters, on that visit, aroused suspicion. On the day after her departure from Nukualofa she was seen nosing around the high vol canic island of Tofua, in the Haapai Group, by the American yachtsman, Cap tain Frank Dona, in his yacht, “Marie ’.

As soon as she knew that her presence was noticed, she made off in apparent haste; but some days later another vessel saw her again in the same locality.

These mysterious movements bear out the reports that the Japanese are secretly charting various parts of the Pacific.