JAPAN’S ADVANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23393, 7 January 1938, Page 13

JAPAN’S ADVANCE

INTO THE SOUTH SEAS THE WORK OF COLONISATION EXPANDING TRADE Japan's active interest in the South Seas may be said to date from the day when Japanese warships took possession of the Mariana, Caroline, and Marshall groups of islands from Germany at the beginning of the Great Wat (writes Illingworth Mackley in the Sydney Morning Herald). These islands, known as Micronesia, were later finally assigned to Japan as a mandate under the League of Nations. When the resources of Micronesia were being successfully developed a policy of economic expansion in the islands lying to the south was put into operation, and to-day the political leaders and exporting houses have every reason to be satisfied with the arViipvpfl Micronesia was at first placed under the control of a body of troops called the South Seas Defence Corps. In July, 1918, a Civil Administrative Department was established to assist the defence corps to govern the islands. When the. League of Nations handed over the island to Japan the troops were withdrawn, and the South Seas Office was created to administer the territory. Altogether, Micronesia comprises 1458 islands, which are scattered over a vast expanse of water, approximately the size of the United States. About 500 miles to the west are the Philippines and the Dutch East Indies, while not so far to the south is the Australian Mandated Territory of New Guinea. Palu proper, or Baobeltaob, which is in the West Caroline group, has a fine airport and harbour, and is Jess than three hours by aeroplane away from Philippine. Dutch, and Australian territory. THOUSANDS OF SETTLERS

Thousands of Japanese people have settled in the islands since 1914. The latest authentic figures show that there are 50,000 Japanese subjects living in the various islands. The largest percentage of Japanese inhabitants is on Sapian Island, in the Mariana group, where 12,587 of the total population of 19,835 people come from Japan. The native population of Micronesia totals 50,174. Each year from 8000 to 12,000 Japanese emigrants proceed to the mandated islands. The natives are increasing in number very slowly, and so the great area which the islands cover is now thoroughly Japanese both in control and population. Copra and sugar are the chief ext ports. In 1933, the last year in which figures are available, copra to the value of 18,000,000 yen and sugar valued at 12,000,000 yen were sent to Japan. The Japanese were given control of Micronesia by the League on the conditions that they would look after the welfare of the natives and would not fortify the islands. Schools have been established, and there is a hospital on every large island. After the Japanese were well established in Micronesia they looked elsewhere in the South Seas for expansion. They found that the rich lands in the Philippines and the Duth East Indies were awaiting development, and so people were encouraged to travel to these places further south. THE MINDANAO COLONY

Mindanao, which is one of the richest islands in the Philippines, was being neglected by the Filipinos, and, as a result, thousands of Japanese poured into Davao, the principal port. At the end of 1932 the Japanese Year Book states that there were 13,437 Japanese on the islands. Almost every ship that arrives at Davao from Japan carries immigrants, so that the number of Japanese on the island to-day is considerably in excess of that total. The Japanese control most of the land used for cultivation in Davao Province, and over 70 per cent, of the island’s imports come from Japan. Japanese shops flourish because the manufactured articles on sale are sold at a much cheaper rate than similar articles imported from the United States. In short, the Japanese are the virtual dictators of the island. The Filipinos regard Japan’s encroachment in Mindanao and in other parts of the Philippines with dismay. Some of their leaders, who have never been in favour of Independence for the Philippines, say that now the United States has decided to stop out of the islands, it is only a matter of time before the territory becomes, to all intents and purposes, a Japanese protectorate. The editor of the Tokio Nichi-Nichi and the Osaka Manichi (Mr S. Takaishi) perhaps had the United States and the Philippines in mind when he wrote that “ the present irrational and unjust arrangement of territories must be drastically readjusted. The territory - possessing Powers must choose either to concede voluntarily or under compulsion.” THE ISLAND OF CELEBES One day’s steam from Davao brings the traveller to the port of Menado, at the northern end of the island of Celebes. This is the island in the Dutch East Indies that has attracted many Japanese. A large proportion of the 10.000 Japanese who have gone to the Dutch East Indies are to be found in Celebes, and to-day these people control a large number of the copra plantations. The island has a delightful climate, and the authorities in Tokio are keen for Japanese to settle there. Immigrants are encouraged by exceedinglv low steamer fares, and the fertility and richness of the island in comparison with the Mariana. Caroline and Marshall groups is stressed. The ship in which I travelled to Menado brought a large quantity of Japanese goods. It was only when I saw the cargo being unloaded out of the holds that I investigated the trade figures, and found that Japan’s trade with the Dutch East Indies is greater than that of Holland itself. The Japanese have not neglected the Australian mandated territory of New Guinea. There are few Japanese there (at the 1933 census they numered 73) but the imports from Japan are con siderable. The 1934-35 figures show that imports to the value of £42.757 came into the territory. When in Piabaul I was very surprised to find Japanese cement was extensively used It is one of Japan’s principal exports to the territory, and is, I was told, of excellent quality. In the French colony of New Caledonia goods to the value' of 544.000 francs were bought from Japan in 1932, but two years later the total had soared to 1,516,000 francs. Japanese articles are also sent in large quantities to the mandated territory of Western Samoa, administered by New Zealand, and to the Tongan Islands. Last year a new and more vigorous policy for economic development in the South Seas was being prepared This means that Japan intends to increase her exports to the islands lying to the south. Other features of the policy, which were revealed when I was in Tokio, were developing resources beating virtually on national defence and securing new supplies of cotton and lumber.