Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-09-13
ISLAND TAKEN BY JAPAN
MAY PROVE NAVAL BASE
FURNISHES A SAFE HARBoR FOR
FLEET
Attention Of War Department Is At
tracted by News That Mikado
Has Seized Isle Near
Philippines

NEW YORK, Sept. ia cable from
Yokohama saying that Japanese lex
plorers'' had occupied and hoisted the
national flag over the island Of Pratas,
near the Philippines, attracted much at
tention here, because by this act has
been added to Japanese territory an
island within one hundred and twenty
miles of the Philippines which would
furnish an admirable naval base. Jap
anese possessions are brought almost
within the archipelago because Pratas
island is less than sixty miles north of
the twentieth parallel, which was the
northern boundary of the former Spanish
dominions, as defined in the treaty of
Paris.
The bureau of insular affairs is sup
piled with a great deal of Information
about Pratas island and Pratas reef. of
which 1t is the visible part. The island
is In latitude north 20 minutes AZ sec
onds, and longitude east 116 minutes As
seconds. 1t is about the middle and west
side of Pratas reef, is about one and a
half miles long and half a mile wide,
and is shaped like a horseshoe. 1t rises
about forty feet above the sea and is visi-
BILE In clear weather about twelve miles.
Pratas island, in connection with the
excellent anchorage afforded by Pratas
reef, would be very serviceabe to the
Japanese should their navy operate in
the waters adjacent to the Philippines.
The reef, the northeast point of which is
about eleven miles from the island. is a
wind barrier of circular form inclosing
a lagoon with water of from five to ten
fathoms. 1t is thickly studded with coral
knobs around its edges, but has compare
lively clear water near the middle.
The reef is about forty miles in cir
conference and between one and two
miles in breadth. There are two channels
leading into the lagoon, one on either side
of Pratas island. The south channel Is
far the better, being wider and deeper
and free from coral knobs. The north
channel Is about three miles wide be-
tween the island and the breakers. There
are several good anchorages In the north
east monsoon In, from ten to twenty faith
oms of water. the position abreast of the
south channel being we'll adapted for
naval purposes.
The war and navy department officials
say they have no official information
about the new acquisition of the jap
anese nation and the cable from Yoko-
hama was the first intimation they had
of the hosting Of the japanese flag on
the island
Pratas island is composed of sand. 1t
has been generally visited by Chinese
fishermen in the early part of the year,
and these fshermen have a good haven
within the horseshoe of the island. 1t Is
said to be the last land between the
chain running down to Formosa and be-
yond and the Philippine islands.
In no way could the island be of value
to any one except for naval purposes. 1t
Is barren except for brushy growth, the
shrubbery of which rises about ten feet
above the sand. 1t is inhabited by in
Vulnerable sea birds during the breeding
season. But as coaling and renting
base 1t might be of great value during
blockade of Manila or ports on the
Chinese coast.