The Washington herald., 1920-09-26
JAP MENACES
GUAM'S VALUE
Possession of Neighboring
Islands Cause Of Deep
Concern.
AUSTRALIA PROTESTS
American Peace Commis-
stones Refuse to Fight
War Award.

No little concern is felt in naval
circles as to the Importance OF
Guam as affected by the award to
Japan Of the islands lying north Of
the equator that belonged to Ger
many. The belief is that the value
Of the island to the United States
has increased very much, but al the
same time further development Will
be required.
Australia, which has a wholesome
fear. of Japan, was loud in her pro-
test when it was decided that the
seized islands should become part
Of the japanese possessions, and
much objection was heard in the
United States. but the American
peace commissioners turned a deaf
ear and consented to the arrange
rnsnt made by Premier Lloyd
George Of Great Britain. Now that
Great Britain and japan have re-
newed their treaty of alliance, with
all its possible secret understand
inEs, additional apprehension is
felt in Guam. which doubtless is
felt in the United States.
Close TO Philippines.
Guam lies nearer to Japan than TO
the Philippines. II is 1906 miles
from here to Manila and only 1858
miles to Yokohama and LAO miles
to Honolulu. the other nearest
American base. and 1888 miles from
the Panama Canal. At the time OF
its acquisition from Spain Guam
was the only island of the Marianas
regarded as worth having.
Germany took the other islands
Of the group, but made no attempt
TO CoIonize them. These islands
now fail to Japan and already steps
are under way for their COLOMBIA
ton by that country. There are
three inhabited islands that thus
become japanese, all nearer to ia
pan than Guam. These are ROta,
forty-nine miles from Guam; Tin
ian. 10 miles distant. and Saipan,
l21 miles. ROta is on the track be-
tween the United States and the
Philippines by way of the San Ber-
nardino straits. but it lacks a har-
Dor and probably cannot be fOrti-
fed
The island Of zap, in the Pelews,
is matter Of much more concern;
1t is ASS miles southwest Of Guam
and on the route Of vessels using
the San Bernardino channel to Ma
nila- It possesses a good harbor
and ample ground for an aviation
field. The harbor is capable OF
holding commerce raiders and de-
stroyers. Even if substantial works
are erected in Guam these would
be at the mercy of aviators from
zap unless an avistion base is es-
tablished at Guam to be manned by
a defense squadron. The creation
Of such a base will be recommend
ed to Congress.
Base in Marshall.
But chief concern is felt over thG
Marshall islands, and about which
also Australia raised her loudest
protest These islands lie to the
southeast Of Guam and to the
southwest Of Hawaii A hostile ma
val force lying in wait in the very
good harbOr which these ISLANDS
possess would be on the flank OF
commerce crossing the Pacific to
the Philippines. and the American
Pacific fleet. in the event of hos
tilities, could not proceed from
Honolulu until any possible force
in the Marshall islands had been
removed.
The United States has had pos
session Of Guam for twenty years
but little has been done in the way
Of development there beyond the
provision for a guard 1t the cable
and radio stations. A garrison OF
only a battalion Of marines is
maintained. The island cannOI
support even this. and all the food
must be shipped in. A blockadinG
feet could stsrve out the garrison
in two months. The islanders dc
nJt grow enough for their own ne,
cessities. Though their chief arti.
cles Of diet are fish and rice, there
is but one small rice plantation or
the island and the rice is bought
chiefly in Japan from the proceed:
of the sale OF copra. One Of the
problems 6f the naval government
Of Guam is to encourage the ma,
tivAs TO grow enough food for theil
neeGs, and much money has beer
spent in the establishment Of ar
agricultural station and the en-.
coura cement Of larger plantations
The island can grow all the foot
common to the tropics and many Of
- the foods OF the temperate zones.