America Will Choose Her Pacific Bases

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 57, 9 March 1943, Page 5

America Will Choose Her Pacific Bases

tilling stations foe DEFENCE AND TEADE Eecelved Monday, 10.35 p.m. WASHINGTON, Mar. 7. A master plan envisioning tne ust ot Pacific bases after the war as Ailing stations” for a hlg Pacific fleet and for American trade with the Orient, was unfoldea to the Press by Eepresentative Magnuson, chairman of the House Naval Affairs Subcommittee. Mr. Magnuson explained that the sub-committee Is determining what bases the Navy needs and what must be done to ensure American rights to their uses after the war. Eeferring to the Japanese bases In the Gilbert and Marshall Islands Mr Magnuson said: "Wo know some we need and are not going to worry how we get them. We will Just take them. However, the State Department must open discussions in other cases In order to sec that the Navy’s needs are met.” Mr. Magnuson emphasised that the plan does not Intend to force or coerce friendly Powers into giving up their Pacific possessions. He added that ** a sensible and equitable arrangement was possible. New Zealand, Australia, China and Holland were displaying a desire to participate in the programme. The Chinese military spokesman had informally welcomed American naval and air bases close to China and Soviet officials have been disabused of the fear of imperialism. Mr. Magnuson concluded: ”lfiie Pacific will be our post-war responsibility. Some say the programme smacks of Yankee imperialism, but that is not true. The United States wants only to assure peaceful pacific Islands and we must obtain the tools necessary to carry out this responsibility.”