GERMAN COLONIES

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1919, Page 5

GERMAN COLONIES

! JAPANESE VIEWS. : , I'} SERIOUS PROBLEM. CLAIMS SHOULD BE RECOGNISED. ( Received 7, 5.5 p.m. Tokio, Feb. 6The question of intcrnatioiialisation of 1' * German possessions in the Pacific Is engrossing attention. The consensus of opinion is that Japan is entitled definitely to hold tlie Marshall and Carolines, in view of the recent understanding with Britain. Consequently the alienation of those islands will create the deepest disappointment, and might possibly lead to an outbreak of national indignation. According to some opinions, there is only one condition whereupon Japan could possibly agree to the mandatory proposal, namely, the disarmament or the non-fortification of the islands In the Pacific outside Japanese territory. The Asahi remarks that the Marshall and Carolines are a big question in the Pacific, which is really a world problem, involving whether ' America, Britain or Japan are suprenie in the Pacific. The paper believes that no case exists for a conflict of interests between •Tapan and America in China, and a working agreement for economic development in that country is possible without any clashing of mutual interests. Therefore, here is no reason why America should object to Japan obtaining definite possession of some of the islands in the- Pacific. Unless Japan's natural claims are recognised by the Powers, the Asahi is afraid a peaceful solution of the problem of the Pacific will be difficult.—Reuter. RAMSAY MACDONALD'S VIEWS. GERMANS MUST LOSE COLONIES. Received Feb. 7, 8.25 p.m. Geneva, Feb. 0. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald, interviewed, said: "The Germans presented us with a memorandum asking for the restoration of the colonies, but our working classes are intransigient. Germany provoked the war, and the Germans acted like / barbarians. They must lose their colonies. We are powerless."—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.