WHAT TOKIO THINKS OF PACIFIC

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14839, 17 February 1919, Page 9

WHAT TOKIO THINKS OF PACIFIC

(Sun Special.) SHANGHAI, Feb. 7. j Reuter's correspondent in Tokio telegraphs : — The question of the internationalisation of the former German possessions in the Pacific is engrossing the attention of the thinking public here. Tihe consensus of opinion is that Japan is entitled definitely to hold the Marshalls and Carolines in. view of the recent understanding- with Great Britain, consequently the alienation of those islands would create the deepest disappointment, atid might possibly lead to an outbreak of national indignation. According to some opinions which are deservvng of attention, there is only one condition oh which Japan could possibly agree to the mandatory proposal, namely, the disarmament and non-forti-fication, of the islands of the Pacific, outside Japanese territory. The Asahi Shimbun remarks that the Marshalls and the Carolines are the big question N of the Pacific, which is really a world problem involving America, Great Britain, and Japan, as supreme powers in the Pacific Obeaiv. The paper believes that no cause exists for a conflict of interests between Japan and America in China, and a working agreement for the economic development of that coxmtry is possible without any clashing of mutual interests. Therefore there- is no reason why America, should object to Japan obtaining; definite possession of some islands in the Pacific. Unless Japan's natural claims are recognised by the Powers, the Asahi Shimbun is afraid that a peaceful solution of the problem of the Pacific will be difficult.