Evening star., 1933-02-05
HITLER EXPECTED
TO DEMAND ISLES
Japanese Mandate Row
Would Stir Problem With
Deep U. S. Concern.
By the Associated Press.

Adolph Hitler's government Is ex-
pected by international observers to
start . vigorous campaign In Geneva
for return Of the, former German
colonies-a step which may stir up the
entire mandate problem In the League
OF Nations and throw additional light
on the status Of the equatorial islands
In the Pacific n1andated to Japan.
The question In the minds OF the
German Fascist leader and officials of
other powers Is what disposition might
be made Of the islands should Japan
carry out her threa. of seeding from
the League because of the Lytton COM
MISSIONS condemnation of her aggres-
siveness In Manchuria.
The American Government is particu-
larly interested In the future OF the
islands because of their nearness to
Guam, the Philippines and Hawaii.
Allotted BY League.
The German islands, consisting OF
three groups known as the Mariannas
the Corolines and the Marshalls. were
allotted to japan by the League Of Ma
tiOnS, which Is charged with the control
and execution Of the terms OF the
mandates.
Tokios apparent intention OF retain
ing the islands rs spoils of war regard
less Of her position at Geneva has
aroused much interest and some con-
cerE in the various world capitals.
Observers generally have been seeking
light on the Leagues attitude In the
matter.
Denials that Japan wAs secretly
building . naval base on one Of the
islands have been made by the japanese
delegates In Geneva and by hish ON
cial in Toxic, including vice Admiral
Muneo Osumi, minister Of the navy.
In answer to various reports that the
islands were being fortified, Admiral
Osumi pointed out that the physical
outlines Of the islands made their use
1mpracticable - military bases. Re-
ports Of japanese expenditures in deep
ening Saipan Harbor, one of the larger
islands. 1872 miles from Guam. were ac-
counted for by the Japanese department
OF communications as being purely for
commercial purposes. Sugar Ii the chief
output Of the island.
U. s. Treaties Separate.
Under the League Of Nations cove
nant. supervision Of inundated terrific
ries and their relations with the DOW.
ers Is placed in the hands Of q perma-
nent Mandate Commission at Geneva.
Since the United States Is not q mem
Der Of the League. Washington has
been forced to protect its relations with
the inundated districts by separate trea-
ties which guarantee the United States
equal rights to those enjoyed by men,
bers Of the League.
BY terms Of the Washington naval
treaty, the United States agreed not to
build any new Notifications or naval
bases on Guam or to increase Its de-
lenses there.
In q treaty dealing with the rights of
Japan and the United States In the
former German possessions, ratified in
1922 by both governments. provision is
made that there shall be no military or
naval bases established or any fortifi-
cations erected anywhere in the terri
tory ~ question.
The American Government, It IL un-
derstood here. has no intentions for the
present Of raising the question Of what
has been happening in the far-away
islands of the beaten track Of ocean
travel. but 1t is paying close attention to
developments.