PACIFIC ISLANDS

Southland Times, Issue 22472, 7 November 1934, Page 7

PACIFIC ISLANDS

FORTIFICATION ALLEGED ACCUSATION AGAINST JAPAN MANDATES COMMISSION (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Geneva, November 5. The Mandates Commission discussed startling allegations that Japan had prohibited foreign vessels from, visiting and using the harbours of certain mandated islands in the Pacific. Delegates questioned the Japanese representative, Mr Ito, regarding reports that an American astronomical expedition was refused permission to visit the islands to observe an eclipse of the sun, pointing out that if they were true then they lent colour to stories that the Japanese were fortifying the island. Mr Ito, in a somewhat reserved reply, characterized the reports as tendentious, and declared that Japan herself organized an expedition to view the eclipse and invited foreigners to accompany, it. He promised to investigate specific cases.

Members then suggested that Japan could easily prove her sincerity by allowing foreign vessels to call and inspect the islands. Mr Ito did not plyAsked why a big aerodrome was being built at Saipan, Mr Ito replied that aircraft there could study atmospheric and fishery conditions. The Italian chairman, Marquis Theodoli, suggested that if Japan wished to dispel suspicion she should afford free, unrestricted access to the islands. It rested with Japan to dispose of the allegations made against her conduct. AMERICAN RETICENCE REQUEST MADE FIVE YEARS AGO. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) Washington, November 5. The revelation before the League Mandates Commission that Japan refused the American Government permission to send a warship to Ladrone Islands to observe a solar eclipse in February was discussed with caution by the acting Secretary of State, Mr Phillips, to-day. He said that the request was made two years previously. Japan countered by offering a Japanese vessel to carry scientists, but later the expedition was abandoned and the matter was not further considered. Since Japan’s resignation from the League the final disposition of mandated islands which lie in a strategic position between the Philippines and Hawaii has been a constant source of speculation to observers of the Far Eastern situation, but the State Department maintained, and continued to maintain to-day, a reticent attitude. Mr Phillips indicated that the Government would make no statement pending action by the League, although the. prevailing opinion is that the Administration believes that Japan has no permanent sovereignty in the islands, which were created by the League. As on many times previously, the State Department refused to comment on reports that Japan is fortifying the islands under the guise of commercial and marine improvements..