Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-08-27
JAPAN SEXES ISLE
OWNED By GERMANY
zap, IN CAROLINA GROUP, NEAR
U. S. POSSESSION OF
GUAM.
ACTION OF MikAOO SEEN
AS REPUTATION OF PROMISE
Seizure Gives Concern to Washington
Government Because of Violation of
Agreement of Japan to confine oper-
atoms Against Germany to Chinese
Waters-Turkey May Aid Kaiser.

Washington. Aug. 2I-Notwithst and-
ing its assurances that it would localize
its war with Germany TO the Kiao
Chou regions. Japan has extended its
operations into the south Pacific, near
the American Island of Guam. accord
ing to advices to the war department
today.
A dispatch from Manila, forwarded
by Governor Harrison of the Phillip
pine islands, said Japan is reported
to have seized the German island of
zap in the Caroline group. The dis
patch contained no details of the move.
but indicated the information came
from marine shipping sources.
Al the state department and at the
japanese embassy it is said that no
intelligence has been received con-
corning the reported move by Japan
An effort is being made by government
officials to obtain more light on the
affair
Wants to Control Wireless.
The supposition here is that japan
has taken possession of zap in order to
control the German wireless station
and the German ca Ole, which extends
to that island.
The wireless equipment on zap is
extremely powerful and affords the
Germans Communication not only with
other islands in the Caroline and
Ladrone groups. but with German
cruisers and merchantmen hundreds OF
miles at sea.
The cable, which has terminus al
zap. is an extension Of the German
cable connecting the Pellew islands
with German New Guinea. There is a
British cable from Shanghai to the
Pellew islands These islands are
owned by Germany.
May Have Cut Cable.
It is not unlikely that Japan has also
seized the German office in the Pei
lews and New Guinea or has cut the
cable SO as to deprive the kaiser's
forces in the Pacific of this means of
communication.
Japan undoubtedly had no trouble IN
taking possession OF zap. which is
small island and practically unde-
Tended The dispatch from Manila in
dicated that the capture of the island
was discovered by German merchant
vessels bound from The South Pacific
to the Philippines, which found they
were unable to communicate by wire
less as usual with the zap station.
It is believed that Japan seized the
island last Monday a few hours after
the ,nikado's declaration Of war on the
kaiser Since that time Japanese
cruisers have been playing havoc with
German shipping to the eastward OF
the philippines.
Within the las, forty-eight hours the
German merchant steamer Princess
Alice limped into the harbor Of Fam
boango with a hole in its hull from
shot Of a japanese vessel OF war
Causes American Anxiety.
This is the sort of move by japan
which has caused American officials
great deal OF anxiety since the empire
decided 10 mix in the conflict. 1t has
been the subject Of an exchange OF
views by the state department and the
Toxic government.
The hope of American OFFICIALS Is
that japan has not taken possession OF
Van with a view to it's permanent re-
tention. but only for the purpose OF
controlling the wireless station during
the war.
1t is supposed that Japan will ex
plain that it was necessary to take tn!
step in order TO prevent German cruis'
ers from. receiving information con
corning the position OF japanese Wal
craft and merchantmen.