FUTURE OF PACIFIC

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 59, 10 March 1944, Page 5

FUTURE OF PACIFIC

U.S. CONCERN EVIDENT

'Recd. 9 p.m. Washington, March 8. I Concerned over the future of • United States military and commercial | rights in the Pacific, the House of {Representatives moved to-day towards ; the establishment of a committee to chart the American post-war pro- ! gramme in the Pacific area. One of the 'primary concerns will be the disposal j’oi Pacific island bases. ; The Associated Press said the move followed closely the recent Canberra j Pact. : Representative Starnes said \ the I Australian-New Zealand Pact affectI ed the United States’ legitimate post I war aims and aspirations and also its | security and share in the air and sea trade routes in the Pacific area. Other Congressmen expressed privateI ly their belief that Australia and New I Zealand may have adopted a course I which raises a question of the perman- | ent disposal of strategic bases now j held by the enemy or .just taken from him and other valuable territory. | One Congressman told the Associatjed Press that he will insist that the 1 policy determined by this committee ’ be carried out. “I think,” he said, "that every island in the Pacific where we spend money and lives conquering it from the Japanese should be ours when the war is over.” i The Associated Pres says the Anzac I Pact, by contrast, specifies that use oi • islands in war-time does not in itself j afford a bisis for territorial claims or rights.