PACIFIC ISLANDS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18207, 30 September 1933, Page 14

PACIFIC ISLANDS

HELD BY JAPAN DELICATE POSITION FEARED CANBERRA, Sept. 17. Fears expressed by the Japanese .Minister for War, General Araki, that a delicate position may arise in the Pacific early nx i 950, when, m accordance with notice given earlier this year, Japan withdraws from the League of Nations, are shared by several members ol the Federal Cabinet. Ihe situation may be of profound importance to Australia, and, although it is understood that it has nut been discussed formally in any way by the Cabinet, several Ministers are watching the situation with some concern.

As a member of the League of Nations Japan lias been giVen mandates over the Caroline and Marshall Islands. Since

Japan gained these concessions as a member of the League, and since there is no precedent for a 11011-member of the League to hold such mandates, it is presumed that Japan’s rights in the islands under her mandates will cease when she withdraws from the League. On the other hand, it is not expected that Japan will relinquish this territory willingly, nor is it considered likely that, even if the League could exert force to •'ompel her to do so, it would take •Mastic action. Hence, there appears no possibility that Japan will lose the 'slands •as a result of her withdrawal !, ora tlie League of Nations. I he situation is interesting to Australia, because, as long as Japan is a member of the League, and holds the islands under mandate from the League, she is forbidden to fortify them or to establish naval or air base's of any kind within them. When her right to the islands under mandate ceases, this obligation will cease also, and, if she retains control of the territory, there will be no obstacle to prevent iier from engaging in any aerial or military works she desires. The Caroline Islands lie within 2500 miles of Sydney, and within 1000 miles of the Australian mandated territories. While it is not anticipated that any works which Japan might carry out in tho islands would be immediately directed against Australia, powerful bases or fortifications so much farther to the west and south of existing Japanese military establishments would profoundly extend tlie range of her power in the Pacific, and could at some future time be a formidable menace to Australian sea com munications.