‘Micronesia'

Commissioner Explains A Name and A Purpose

HE alert and energetic editor of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Mr.

Riley H. Allen, referred to mer United States Senator Elbert Thomas (now High Commis ler for the North Pacific Islands en over by the United Nations m Japan, and administered by United States as a Trust xitory) the Pacific Islands nthly’s suggestion that the mds should be known as “the erican Trust Territory of Micro ia,” instead of “the Trust Terri -7 of the Pacific Islands.” he PIM has pointed out that the er designation is misleading, j Trust Territory referred to iprises the archipelagoes of rshall, Caroline and Mariana, ,ch are generally grouped as icronesia”; while the term cific Islands” embraces three or r major groups (including ronesia) north of the Equator, [ innumerable large and small bipelagoes south of the Equator, ided into about 14 separate ritories or Administrations.

Writing on October 30, High nmissioner Elbert Thomas kindly vided us with an authoritative I interesting survey, showing how criticised name came to be used, t is derived from the language d in the Trusteeship Agreement ween the United Nations and the ited States. Article 1 referred to le Territory of the Pacific mds;” and thenceforward that ame the official name of the ee groups (Marshalls, Carolines I Marianas) taken from Japan.

Whoever drafted that Agreement w singularly little about the lific Islands generally. [igh Commissioner Thomas iently believes that it is not cticable to change the name. v; but he says that the phrase list Territory of the Pacific mds” is rarely used unofficially, te says that the Americans are smpting to popularise the use of icronesia” in relation to the ritory. The steamship company ch operates the ships used by the ministration is called the Pacific Tonesian Line; and, he adds, “we substituting ‘Micronesian’ wher r we can for ‘native’ and ‘indi te’. We continually use the names ;he island groups (Carolines, Mar 11s, Marianas); and the design the Trust Territory flag includes ee stars, representing these three ind groups. In our historical ting and in all references to bitutions in the area we employ ere possible the geographic name .g., the Micronesian Educational ociation.”

Ir. Thomas also points out that

Admiral Radford (who was the United States Navy’s High Commis sioner in charge of the Trust Islands) was careful to use the term “Micronesia” and “Micronesian” when delivering an address at the ceremonies on September 12, 1951, when the Trustee Territory was formally handed over to civil administration.

What America Is Doing

In this letter, dated October 30, the High Commissioner writes very interestingly on the strategic im portance of the Trust Territory of Micronesia:— “The strategic aspects of the Trust Territory are made larger than ‘American’ by the Peace Treaty with Japan, as well as the

treaties of mutual defence with Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the Philippines. It will take a long time to develop relations with our neighbours to the point which we hope to achieve, but we are making beginnings.

“The Islands Trading Company of the Trust Territory has already purchased two auxiliary-type sailing schooners in Australia, for use in inter-island trade, as well as for trade with our neighbours. One of these vessels, the Meleeta, recently returned with a full cargo of com missionary supplies purchased in Australia for use by Trust Territory personnel.

“One of our vessels, the steamer Chicot, is in Japan to-day in dry dock for a periodic over-haul, after

charging a cargo of copra and chus shell.

We have traded during this last ,r with the Philippines, Australia, ailand, Japan and Guam.

Two Japanese fishing fleets, rating out of the Ryukyu Islands, fishing in Trust Territory waters ier the auspicies of SCAP; and >ther Japanese company is min phosphate in Angaur, with >ropriate reimbursement for iple of the Trust Territory.

All of these activities may be iracterised as small, but they are insignificant from the stand nt of peace-keeping, and in the elopment of peaceful pursuits.

That the people of Hawaii .erally understand the spirit of comparatively modest but itegic contribution to the peace die Pacific is brought home to us lost every day by a call or a t. Such understanding is most tifying.” liss Margaret Stubbs, youngest ighter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H, hbs of Bellevue Hill and New inea, was married in Sydney on tuary 9, to Mr. Frederick [shire, of Lae, New Guinea, 'ort Moresby will be the future ne of Miss Betty Woods, of sensland, and Mr. John Benham ith, of Port Moresby, who were rried in Brisbane on January 5.