Evening star., 1947-02-17
u. 5. Serves Notice
|0f Intent 10 Retain
|Jap-Mandated Isles
BY the Assoelorsd Press

LAKE SUCCESS, N. Y, Feb.
17.-The United States informed
the world today that it in
tends to keep the strategic
chains of Japanese-mandate is
lands in the pacific to insure
American security.
In a draft agreement submitted
to Secretary General Trygve Lie
and circulated to members of the
United Nation Security Council, the
United States Government asked
the United Nations to designate
these islands, including most of the
Marshalls, Marianas and Carolines,
as strategic area" under American
administration.
Indications were that the plan
would meet immediate opposition
in the council from Russia, Great
Britain, Australia and perhaps
others. Moscow, London and Can
berra were reported to have ad-
vised the State Department that
they were opposed to acceptance
of any agreement until the peace
treaty with Japan was signed.
Won't Give Up Islands.
But whether the United Nations
approves the agreement or not, the
United States made it clear that she
has no intention of giving up the
islands that she considered so es-
sential to American defense.
Authoritative sources said no one
has raised any objection to con-
tinue American occupation of the
islands, nor to have opposed any
particular part of the agreement.
Due to council occupation with
the pressing problem of atomic en-
ergy, the American proposal may
not reach the floor for several days.
Specifically, the United States
asks that all of the former German
islands north of the equator which
were turned over to Japan as man
dates by the League of Nations be
placed under U. N. trusteeship with
the United States as administrator.
If approved, the agreement would
give the United States, as admins
tering authority, virtually the same
rights as would come under out
right annexation.
Population of $4,000.
The 623 islands, extending north
from the equator about 1900 miles
and for about $500 miles from east
to west, have a total land area of
only 829 square miles. Their total
population is about $4,000.
With the exception of Guam in
the Marianas, an American posses
sion received from Spain, these is
lands were formerly German pos
sessions, but we're inundated by the
League of Nations to Japan.
The Marshalls consist of 33 coral
atolls and have a population of
.10439.
Each of the three groups has a
language of its own.
The islands include such vital
bases as Saipan and Tinian in the
Marianas, Truk in the Carolines and
Kwajalein in the Marshalls.
A British spokesman said his gov
ernment welcomed evidence that the
United States wanted to bring the
islands under U. N. trusteeship, but
for legal reasons doubted that the
time was ripe for making any agree
ment.
Breaking of Mandate Cited.
1t was understood that London
felt that until the peace treaty was
signed, Japan would not have Off
cially abandoned her claims and
therefore there could not be any
clear title. ..., ."
There was no definite indication
of how Warren r. Austin, American
Council Delegate, would view the
objections, but it was apparent that
he could not get approval of the
plan with two major powers op-
posed.
AS to the legal argument, the
United States contends that title
to the mandates does not rest with
Japan but with the League of Ma
tions. 1t adds that Tokyo broke
the terms of the mandate agree
ment and is no longer in a position
to exercise authority.
Major points covered in the agree
ment submitted by the United
States included:
1. That the administering author
ity Omitted States) shall have full