IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 26

IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

JAPANESE INFLUENCE FELT. In very close proximity to the British Crown Colony of the Gilberts and Ellice Islands, and to the north of" the Equator, is tho very interesting group of atolls known as the Marshall Islands (writes Thomas J. M'Mahon in the London Daily News of August). They have an aggregate area of a little over 150 square miles. The atolls are very small islands, the highest not above Bft of sea level. These are linked together, horse-shoe or circular fashion, as many as 100 or more, which enclose great lakes called lagoons. There are 46 of these lagoons, all deep, and the safest shelters for shipping, Majuro, one of the largest, being famous as a hiding place for German warships in the early days of the war. For 30 years this group has been owned by Germany. On the outbreak of war the islands were handed over to the protection, and occupation of the Japanese, who now hold a mandate for their future administration. That mandate is extremely unpopular throughout the South Pacific, and is particularly offensive to the natives. > The Japanese officials exact the most subservient respect from tho people. They fire compelled, for instance, on the approach or passing of an official to bow in a very effusive, manner, and to show they recognise in the Japanese a very superior race. The use of the word " Jap" instead of Japanese is an offence. The natives are continually reminded that the British or Americans- are not one bit better than the Japanese. The Marshall?, as part of tho late German New Guinea territories, were to be occupied during the war on the same terms of capitulation as German New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago by the Australians; that is, the continuatcn of German laws and customs. Tho Japanese set aside this eJ*.idition and introduced Japanese regulations, customs, and tariffs. The post office was promptly closed, and no one in the group allowed to receive mail but the Japanese officials. The Japanese language was made compulsory, and the American and German missions and schools were forbidden. A Japanese school was opened with Japanese teachers. To this severity the natives have taken great exception. The Japanese traders have set out to capture - the native tastes by shoddy and gaudy trade goods, and already there is~ an atmosphere quite Japanese in customs, dress, and foods. The native women, proud of their long, rich hair, do it in exact imitation of the Japanese ladies. They comb it with Japanese combs and plaster it thickly with Japanese strongly perfumed pomades. The native ladies of the hiffh-class families are never without a brightly painted Japanese fan, and a much-beflowered kimono. A chief woman never walks out but her slave maid carries a Japanese umbrella over her. The Marshall Islands monarchs carry Japanese walking sticks ; and _ their Europeancut clothes, which they delight to wear, are made by Japanese' tailors. The native

schoolboy "swanks" in a Japanese naval uniform, for every lad is a naval cadet. There is no doubt Japan :nust_ be a dominating Power in the South Pacific, its trade, and politics. It is safe to suggest in five years the Central Pacific will see in the Marshall Islands a New Japan, populated with Japanese colonists and prosperous in every way. In this prosperity, it is also safe to add, trie natives will have no part; nor will !'their love for their new masters have increased'.