Americans Tackling

Conditions In Micronesia

Americans Tackling Administration Problems

THE United States, in a report on the Marshall, Caroline, and Mariana Islands submitted to the United Nations Trusteeship Council, stated that native living standards in the islands are lower under American administration than they were under Japanese control.

The report says American control began with the handicap of the chaotic after math of the war in the Pacific, but the administering authority believed the pro gramme would in succeeding years equal and surpass the conditions under the Japanese.

The assault and occupation of the islands destroyed large areas of bread fruit and coconut trees, which were the major source of food and building materials for the natives. Wartime deaths, suffering, and privation had lowered the morale, health, and initiative of the island people, but already the conditions have greatly improved.

The people now are healthier, the children receive free elementary educa tion, adults are encouraged to take part in municipal affairs, and their confidence and self-respect are returning.

Dr. L. G. M. Baas Becking, Deputy Chairman of the South Pacific Commis sion Research Council, has accepted an invitation to be Chairman of the Com mittee on Botanical Stations, Interna tional Union of Biological Sciences. The International Union sponsors the Inter national Congress of Biological Sciences, the next session of which will be held at Stockholm in 1950. This will be the first Congress since that held in Amsterdam in 1935.