JAPAN'S POLICY IN PACIFIC

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21315, 7 November 1934, Page 11

JAPAN'S POLICY IN PACIFIC

ALLEGED FORTIFICATION OF MANDATES QUESTIONS AT GENEVA (UNITED TRESiJ ASSOCIATION" —BT ELECTSIO TELEGEAPH—COPYRIGHT.) (Received November 6, 5.5 p.m.) GENEVA, November 5. The Mandates Commission of the League of Nations to-day discussed startling allegations that Japan prohibited foreign vessels from visiting and using the harbours of certain mandated islands in the Pacific. Delegates questioned the Japanese representative (Mr N. Ito) about reports that an American astronomical expedition was refused permission to visit certain islands to observe the eclipse of the sun, saying that if they were true then they lent colour to stories that the Japanese were fortifying the islands. Mr Ito, in a somewhat reserved reply, characterised the reports as tendentious, and declared that Japan itself organised an expedition to view the eclipse and invited foreigners to accompany it. He promised to investigate specific cases.

Members then suggested that Japan could easily prove her sincerity by allowing foreign vessels to call and inspect the islands. Mr Ito did not reply. Asked why a big aerodrome was being built at Saipan, Mr Ito replied that aircraft there could study atmospheric and fishery conditions. The Italian chairman, Marquis Theodoli, suggested that if Japan wished to dispel suspicion she should afford free and unrestricted access to the islands. It rested with Japan to dispose of allegations made against her conduct. AMERICAN ATTITUDE NO OFFICIAL STATEMENT (Received November 6, 8.20 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 5. The revelation before the League Mandate Commission that Japan had refused the American Government permission to send a warship to the Ladrone Islands to observe a solar eclipse in February was discussed cautiously by the ActingSecretary of State (Mr William Phillips) to-day. He said the request had been made two years before, and Japan had countered by offering a Japanese vessel to carry the scientists, but later the expedition had been abandoned and the matter had not been further considered. Since Japan's resignation from the league the final disposition of her mandated islands, which lie in a strategic position between the Philippines and Hawaii, has been a constant source of speculation for observers of the Far Eastern situation, but the State Department lias maintained and continued to maintain to-day a reticent attitude. Mr Phillips said the Government would make no statement pending league action, although the prevailing opinion is that the Administration believes Japan has no permanent sovereignty in the islands. As on many previous occasions, the State Department refused to comment on reports that Japan was fortifying the islands under the guise of commercial and marine improvement.