The Bonins

Jop Base That May Now be American

ALTHOUGH the question of American bases in the Pacific is still ruffling the pellucid waters of early peace at irregular intervals—so far without anything definite being done—it does seem likely that the United States will be permitted to retain those islands and territories held formerly by the Japan ese. These are, the Marshalls, the Marianas, the Carolines, Volcano Islands and the Bonins.

Of all of these—from the point of view of keeping an eye on Japan—the Bonins, only 500 miles from the Japanese main land, are the most valuable strategically, and possibly the least known.

Economically, their value is almost nil.

All 20 of them are volcanic in origin, most of them are small, and only three are inhabited. The name Bonin is sun nosed to have been derived from the Japanese words “Bu-nin Jima”—meaning “without people”—the name given the group by castaway Jap fishermen in the 17th century.

The islands were discovered, lost, and then rediscovered many times by adven turers up to the beginning of the 19th century, since when they have remained permanently upon our maps. The Japan ese knew of their existence for centuries and some attempts were made to colonise them: but during their era of voluntary seclusion the Bonins were practically cut off from them and they were almost forgotten.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Portuguese and Dutch are believed to have visited the group, and in 1823 came Captain Coffin, an American whaling captain, who called at the southern islands. His visit had only one result— it aroused the interest of the British, who immediately despatched a survey ship, the “Blossom,” in command of Captain Beechev. who took formal pos session of the islands in the name of his king, by nailing a copper sheet upon a tree.

The following year, a Russian warship called. The captain of this ship immedi ately took possession, for the Czar of the time.

Six years later the first inhabitants arrived—five Europeans (two of them American and one English) and 25 Hawaiians. Thev brought seeds, which they planted, and a Union Jack which they hoisted. They apparently considered themselves the beginning of a British colony, but the British Government gave them no help in the way of supplies or protection; one of the five Europeans governed the settlement after a fashion but thev were virtually independent of any nation.

THIS was the state of affairs when Commodore Perry went that way Perry was a century before his countrymen in his interest in Pacific bases, and the Bonins had long appealed to him as excellent for United States purposes.

He visited the “British” settlement on Peel Island; observed that the land was fertile, the climate excellent, the water supply adequate and that the harbour at Port Lloyd sufficient for most purposes.

He noted, further, that the people vir tually owed allegiance to no one and he thereupon bought from one of them, an American, Nathaniel Savory, a piece of land for $5O and appointed Savory United States agent.

Again the British were roused from their lethargy and an account of Perry’s dealing with islanders who were “held to be British” was demanded. There was a series of exchanges between Britain and America on the subject, while Perry at home tried to arouse interest in the Bonins as an American base. The States were, however, drifting rapidly towards civil war at this time, and no one was particularly interested in acquiring over seas bases in the Pacific or anywhere else Once America lost interest, England lapsed once more into her customary apathy and the Bonins were again neglected and forgotten.

Japan now emeged from seclusion and made the next move. The Jananese Government announced suddenly in November, 1875, that the Bonins had never been anything else but a Japan ese possession and that a ship was about to leave for the Group.

Britain, roused to action, despatched a warship. HMS “Curlew,” immediately, but when it arrived the Japanese had al ready occupied the islands in force. • were 5.000 people on the three inhabited islands in 1937. They grew sweet potatoes, onions, sugar cane; and maintained a fishing industry. Surplus products were exported to Japan in ex chane-e for rice and other staple foods Almost a hundred years have passed since Commodore Perry gave Nathaniel Savory an American flag and made him a United States agent. Indications at present are that the Bonins might now Play the part designed for them then by the far-seeing American seafarer.