Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-01-23
AUSTRALIA FEARS
JAPAN s GRIP ON
GE R|MAN ISLANDS
South Sea Colonies Are View
ed by British Subjects as a
Source of Trouble Until the
Council Fixes Status.
(BS James NJ. Touhy.)
Copyright, 1919, by the Press Pub
fishing Co.

lSnlnG 20,
tThe New York World.)
Especial Cable Dispatch to the World
and Albuquerque Journal)
Paris, Jan. 22.--Relation of the
future of the German colonies to the
position and claims of the Australian
commonwealth viii present an im-
portant problem in the negotiations
of the peace conference
1t may be recalled that when Japan
seized the Marshall and Caroline is
lands, early IN the war, Australian
apprehensions were sharply expressed
over the prospect that possession
might be retained, Japan thus gaining
important strategic positions in the
Pacific. American opinion was also
concerned as to the undesirability of
this prospect. The situation of the
islands in respect to the Panama
canal and South America, toward both
of which the islands are stepping
stone, excited the liveiest interest in
Washington.
Claims Must Re Rcconsidercd
Japan showed excellent spirit at the
time by declaring it was not her in
tention to hold the islands, but later,
when II was proposed to fix that
declaration definitely, the Japanese
government interposed the plea that
public opinion in that country was
such that their surrender would be
extremely embarrassing
It was said in 1915 that some sort
of understanding was reached between
Japan and Great Britain favoring the
japanese claims. Now the matter of
the future of the islands must he
taken up anew for determination by
the peace conference, in connection
A l.. s..a faa3s
of 1915. which were exposed by the
Bolsheviki in Russia.
Although Australian feeling has not
moderated in respect to the proper
disposition of the islands for the fu-
ture, the interests of the common
wealth are more vitality concerned
with the fate of the German colonies.
They lie close to the Australian CONT
nent, New Guinea being only eighty
miles away. and the outlying islands
| extending in three belts along the
eastern shores of Australia.
! Premier Calls Rule Unfair.
| Preme Minister Hughes of Australia
| in conversation with me today, ex-
pressed his views with characteristic
| frankness. Speaking of the decision
F.! of the peace conference forbiddins
| delegates to make statements to the
PUBIC on any SubJcNt uhNNi "i7N'
| sion, he said
| "Such restrictions of the rights Of
| delegates would be unfair In prac-
i tice it will be found impracticable.
! For my part, IL | felt the common
! wealth was not getting square deal
/ in respect TO the Pacific islands cap
| tured by the allies | would appear
to the people of all the allied coun-
| tries.
"The Japanese are a great people,
J but our ideals and theirs differ funda-
mentally, and we do not wish Japa-
nese expansion in our direction, We
have a small population compared
| with that of Japan our interests are
| not identical. nor are our aspirations.
| Each of us in our separate spheres
can safeguard our future while main
tanning relations of perfect harmony
with the other.
"Of course the interests of the COM
monwealth in the Pacific are much
! more closely affected by the disposi-
ton for the future of the former Ger
man colonies in the immediate vtcin-
ity of our coasts Possession of these
colonies by any other power would
place us in a serious position, They
! are at our back door. as " were.
American sympathy Desired.
! New Guinea is nearer TO us than
is Tasmania, one of our own states
We might find ourselves in danger OF
a nocturnal visit unless we can choose
our ne,ghbors feel that America
will recognize otir vital interest ir
this branch of world settlement as
will also France"
Recognition OF the Austrian peace
delegates by the peace congress
Premier Hughes declared, ushered ir