PACIFIC ISLANDS.

Wairarapa Age, 9 October 1936, Page 5

PACIFIC ISLANDS.

THE BAN ON FORTIFICATION, CONTINUANCE DESIRED , BY BBJTIAN. REPRESENTATIONS TO U.B.A. & JAPAN. >'ll; LONDON, October 7. , The British Government has approached the United States and Japan regarding renewal of Article 19 of the Washington Treaty of 1922 so as to maintain the status quo regarding non-fortification of islands in the Pacific. TOKIO WAITING. ISLANDS & HOME DEFENCE. TOKIO, October 7. The Foreign Office has not yet received the British Note regarding the Washington Treaty. It is believed that Japan approves the spirit and the aim of the proposal, but that she will carefully consider her reply, because the 'areas concerned chiefly the islands of Bonin, Luchu, and Formosa, are vital for home defence, while England and the United States are restricted only in regard to outlying possessions. MENACE WITH MENACE. AMERICAN OFFICIAL VIEW. (Received Thursday, 7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 7. The British proposal to the United States and Japan regarding the renewal of Article 19 of the Washington. Naval Treaty met with comment *hich is interpreted to .signify that **e United States is prepared to keep pace with, but will not initiate, a naval rac£ Mr Swanson (Secretary for the Navy) said fortifications must be met with -other fortifications and one menace'aith another menace.