JAPAN IN PACIFIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22333, 3 February 1936, Page 9

JAPAN IN PACIFIC

MANDATED ISLANDS SUSPICIONS OF LEAGUE VISITOR'S STARTLING STORY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Jan. 31 The Sun-Herald news service says that, in spite of the Mandates Commission's repeated requests to Japan candidly to explain her activities in her Pacific mandates, only a generalised account has been supplied asserting that construction is limited to harbour improvements. The Japanese have failed to allay the League's suspicions, especially as under the mandate fortifications are not allowed. An important new light is thrown 011 the developments by an American journalist, Mr. Willard Price., who has just concluded four months of investigations in these islands. In an article in the Spectator Mr. Price says he left the islands with the clear conclusion that there is no ground for suspicion regarding fortifications, but there is every reason for grave concern regarding the significance of the islands in Asia's future. It is an amazing labyrinth comprising the Mariane, Caroline and Marshall groups, which consist of 1400 islands, irrespective of small islands and reefs, so situated that Japanese aeroplanes could reach Australia in six hours, Hongkong and Singapore in 10 hours, Dutch East Indies in three hours and the Philippines in two hours. Some of the islands afford perfect hiding places for warships, submarines and aircraft. The writer describes Palau harbour as being valuable as a potential naval base. It could accommodate at least 50 large warships. Occasional Japanese warships anchor there, but merchantmen are not allowed. Its existence is not generally known. Mr. "Price says he saw no refuelling bases and no fortifications, though if necessary these probably would co~'«e into existence with surprising alacrity. The writer refers to the Mandates Commission's fears that a naval base is being constructed in Saipan harbour, and says that Saipan is so exposed as to be the only important harbour which is completely useless as a naval base.

TOKIO AND BERLIN ' TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP REVIVAL OF STATEMENT LONDON. Jan. 31 Madame Tabouis, writing in the Paris newspaper L'Oeuvre, apropos the alleged secret treaty between Germany and Japan says: "In spite of denials from Wilhelmstrasse we are in a position to affirm that the Japanese Foreign Minister and the German Ambassador at Tokio signed a. treaty of friendship with elements of a defensive alliance." The Berlin correspondent of the Morning Post reported on January 20 that it was stated in well-informed political circles that a military agreement between Germany and Japan was signed in Tokio on January 4. Under this, in the event of either country being attacked, the other was pledged to co to its assistance. It need hardly be said, added the correspondent, that Russia is the aggressor contemplated. A later message, however, stated that it was officially denied m Tokio and Berlin that Germany and Japan nad concluded a military alliance.