MANDATED ISLANDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 1 February 1936, Page 11

MANDATED ISLANDS

JAPAN AND THE LEAGUE UNCERTAINTY REGARDING POSITION (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received Ist February, 11.55 a.in.) LONDON, 31st January. The “Sun-Herald” says that despite the Mandates Commission’s repeated requests to Japan to candidly explain her activities in her Pacific Mandates, only a generalised account lias been supplied, assorting that construction is limited to harbour improvements. The Japanese failed to allay the League’s suspicions, especially as under the mandate fortifications are not allowed.

An important new light is thrown on developments by an American journalist Mr Willard Price, who has just concluded four months’ investigations on these islands. In an article in the “Spectator” he says that he left the islands with the clear conclusion that there was no ground for suspicion regarding fortifications, but every reason for grave concern regarding the islands’ significance in Asia’s future. The amazing labyrinth, comprising the Marianne, Caroline and Marshall Groups, consist of _ fourteen hundred islands irrespective of small islands and reefs. It is so situated that Japanese aeroplanes could reach Australia in six hours, Hongkong and Singapore in ten hours, Dutch East Indies in three hours, and the -Philippines in two hours. Some islands provide perfect hiding places for warships, submarines and aircraft. He describes Palau harbour valuable as a potential naval base to accommodate at least 50 .large warships Occasional Japanese warships anchor there. Merchantmen are not allowed. Its existence is not ■'generally known. He saw no refuelling bases and no fortifications, though, if necessary, these would probably come into existence with surprising alacrity.

Mr- Price refers to the mandates coinmission’s fears that a navy base is 'being constructed at Saipan Barbour. He says Saipan is so exposed that, it is only important as a harbour, which would he completely useless as a naval base.