Evening star., 1940-03-24
Japan S Report 0mits
Reference 10 Defense
.0f Mandate Islands
t5t- 40
-
kesleets to Tell League
Whether Pacific Group
- " Is Being Fortified ,.
BY ANDRUE BERDING,
Associated Press Stan Writer


5-~
By ANDRUE BERDING,
. Associated Press Stan Writer
Japan, in a report to the League
Of Nations on her 1898 administra-
ton of the Pacific mandate islands,
has omitted all reference to whether
or not she is fortifying them, 1t was
learned yesterday. This Is in sharp
contrast to the 1887 report which
said categorically that they were not
being fortified.
, A copy of Japans report was re-
ceived by the State Department
several days ago from the American
Embassy in Toxic. Japan is required
by treaty with the United States
to provide this Government with q
duplicate of the report.
The islands-623 in number in
three groups, the Mariana, the Caro-
line and Marshall-were taken by
Japan from Germany during the
World War.
Pelew, one of the islands, is about
400 miles east of the Philippines. and
the American island Of Guam Is
surrounded by Japanese mandate
islands.
Extensive Work on Harbors.
Congress refused last year to vote
funds for harbor improvements at
Guam on the grounds that Japan
might consider 1t q provocative
action.
The Japanese reported to the
League of Nations that they had
made extensive harbor improve
ments In the inundated islands.
The 1898 report was filed belatedly.
When 1t was late in arriving, the
State Department instructed the
American Embassy in Toxic to in
quire whether 1t would be forth
coming.
Existing treaties between Japan
and the Western powers, including
the United States, preclude Japan
from fortifying the islands, in the
opinion of officials here.
Consequently, it is believed the
permanent Mandates Commission of
the League Of Nations may decide to
ask Japan a direct question on forti-
fication of the islands. The commits
sion meets at Geneva, Switzerland,
in June.
Construction Plans.
On the subject Of harbor improve
ments, the 1888 report says:
The bays and harbors of the
islands are mostly surrounded by
coral reefs and cannot be made into
good ports of commerce without a
fair amount of improvement works.
Accordingly, plans were laid for the
construction of harbors in success
sive stages to begin with, the har-
Dor of Tanapak, in Saipan (not far
to the north of Guam, the most
important island in respect of pro-
ductive industry, was constructed
and q pier was built"
The report adds that the increase
In the number and size of vessels
calling at the port made it neces-
sary to enlarge it. Works were
started in 1898 under a six-year
plan involving a total cost Of $780,
900 yen.
The report says that at the port
Of Marakal, in the Island Of Palau,
q channel was cut for easier and
better passage by steam launches
and q wharf was constructed. The
work proved inadequate and au-
thorities decided upon the construc-
ton of the port of Palau extending
over six years, costing altogether
2,67! 900 yen. Work started in 1886
The report shows that only IL
foreigners (no Americans) visited
the islands in 1898. The visitors
were one Filipino, two Dutchmen,
two White Russians, two French
men, four Dutch East Indians and
one Australian.
from the Island Of Saipap was
wrecked at Guam. The Gov
ernor of Guam asked the author
tiles at Saipan for permission to
send the sailors to Saipan on an
American boat. The Saipanese
preferred to take off the sailors
on the high seas and the Ameri-
can boat did not get to Saipan)
Trade Increase Reported.
The report said that trade in
the territory has been showing signs
Of healthy development" but pub
nshed only the 1887 figures. Total
trade during 1887 was over 61,500,-
600 yen, the report added, an in
crease of about 80 per cent, COM
pared with the preceding year.
Other statements in the reports:
No duties "are, in principle, i'm
posed on exports or imports to and
from Japan" Customs duties are
imposed on imports from foreign
countries.
Chief articles of export are phos-
phate, sugar, copra, dried bonito
and alcohol. Most imports come
from Japan. after which follow the
United States, French Indo-C China,
British Indo- China and Siam.
Publications in the islands are
controlled by "the rues for the con-
troll of newspapers in the South
Sea Islands" Importation OF news
papers into the territory from for
eign countries is also controlled
by the same rules, although there
has arisen no occasion for invoking
or applying them"
japanese Exceed Natives.
japanese exceed the number of
natives. The total population as of
June. 1898. was 12l,128, of whom
70,14l were Japanese. 50,868 were
natives and l19 were foreigners,
chiefly missionaries. spaniards led
Ill the foreigners, followed by Chi
nese and Germans.
japanese has become the Ian
guage of the people.
No one in the territory has per-
mission to sell or manufacture guns