Of N. Pacific Islands

Japanese Seek Return

IT is reported that Japan has opened a diplomatic offensive for the return of several pre-war Pacific possessions, in cluding the island of Okinawa and the Bonin group.

In private representations to America, the Japanese Government is understood to have sought the return of all former possessions in the northern Pacific, in cluding the Ryukius the Russian-held Kuriles, the Bonin group, Tsu-shima (off the south coast of Korea) and Iwojima.

For the time being at least, the Japanese are resigned to the loss of man dated South Pacific islands (Carolines, Marshalls and Marianas) which they con verted into fortresses in the years between the world wars. The Japanese contention is that the northern Pacific Islands were acquired “peacefully” in the course of Japan’s growth as a Pacific power and that the inhabitants consider themselves Japanese.