THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17532, 25 January 1919, Page 7

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

JAPANESE OPINION.

JAPAN'S TIMGELY HELP.

SYDNEY, January 24. Japanese files available up to December 20 discuss the Pacific question. The Niohinicbi Shimbun, in an article, complains that Australia is trying to monopolise the New Guinea trade generally and is attempting to prevent the development of Japanese trade in the South Seas'. The Shimbun's article enlarges upon the assistance Japan gave the Allies in the war, and asks; "Had Japanese warships noi mobilised when enemy warships were ravaging the seas could Australia and New Zealand be as safe as they are now, Australasian troops have been safely transported, or the German South Sea Islands have been so easily occupied?" The article insists on remembering these things. It states also that the Australians are trying to check the southward advance of Japan. ,_ She wants to utilise the captured territories for this purpose, and declares that when the disposition of the. German colonies is dealt with at the Peace Conference, particularly those south of the' equator, any exclusive policy should be opposed by all means, and Japan must firmly insist upon her rights. Unless compensations are secured for" the services rendered by the Japanese navy the dignity of the Japanese Empire will be lost. The entire area of the islands south of the equator is 900,000 square miles. On these the Japanese could develop peacefully, economically, and naturally. The article asserts that many Japanese had planned to develop their opportunities in the' South Seas.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

A GERMAN YTEW

AN ULTIMATE REVERSION.

AFTER PERIOD OF PENANCE. NEW YORK/January 21. The Chicago Nttwb statee that an official statement in the Berlin Gazette, attributed to the German Colonial Office, says: ' President Wilson has made it clear that the Peace Conference -would equitably and justly solve the colonial question. The German Government feels that the Entente's retention of her colonies would be neither fair nor just, and would be evidence of an intention to suppress the German nation."

The correspondent interviewed Major Gerhard, formerly, a member of the German Colonial Office, who said: "It is possible that Germany -would agree to an International Commission to govern the colonies for a period of 10 or 20 years, with the understanding that, wfien a strong Republican Government is built up in Germany, she will again assume control of her colonies.—A. and N.Z. Cable.