CONTROL OF THE PACIFIC GROUPS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 122, 19 November 1914, Page 7

CONTROL OF THE PACIFIC GROUPS

ISLANDS TAKEN BY JAPAN. MELBOURNE, 18th November. Senator Pearce, Commonwealth Defence Mihister, has announced that the Japanese Government intimated to the British Government that it was ready to hand over the islands recently held by the Germans in the Pacific, and" seized by the Japanese, to an Australian force. The British Government had been informed that it was the intention of the Australian Government to act accordingly. The Biitish Government had so informed the Japanese Government ahd to this end an Australian force would be despatched and remain in occupation of the islands till the end of the war, when the matter of their ultimate disposal would be a question for the consideration of the Allied Powers. The Commonwealth will have the responsibility of not only a military occupation, but of trade matters and other commercial arrangements. Colonel Pethebridge (Secretary of Defence) will accom« pany the force as oflker-in-charge, and he will be appointed Australian Commissioner for the North- West Pacific, with authority to make suitable necessary arrangements with other Powers. HANDSOME COMPLIMENT PAID TO AUSTRALIA. (Received November 19, 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The newspapers appreciate the handsome compliment paid to Australia by Japan and Britain in handing over the administration of the Pacific Islands, which will also involve n heavy responsibility.