THE PACIFIC.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16429, 24 January 1919, Page 7

THE PACIFIC.

GERMANS NOT WANTED. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.£. Cable Association.) NEW YORE}, January 20. Tho "New York Sun," commenting editorially regarding Australia's claims at the Peace. Conference, says that the islands of New Guinea in the hands of an unfriendly Power would constitute a serious menace to Australia. Both Australia and New Zealand are determined to rid themselves of German influence in tho Pacific. Australia will continue to depend on England for the defence of her coast. This defence is likely to form a strong link between Australia and England. The Plymouth cori'espondent of the New York "World" states that Mr Massey. on landing said, "We are determined to banish the Germans from the Pacific.'' A KNOTTY PROBLEM. (United Service.) (Received January 23rd, 11.10 p.m.) PARIS, January 21. Mr Keith Murdoch states that in interviews given by Mr Hughes to American journalists, he indicated that it was his intention strenuously to oppose the Japanese annexation of the Mnrshall and Caroline Islands. "Mr Wilson desires that the Pacific Islands should bo internationalised under the League of Nations, with Great Britain as the mandatory Power charged by the League with administration and control. Great Britain and Japan wish the line of the Equator to divide the snliere of influence, Australia and New Zealand annexing the islands southward and Japan tho islands northward of the equator. Great Britain claims that Mr Fisher's Govenment in IDIS accepted this solution. It appears Mr Hughes does not agree with' this plan. An urgent question is whether Australasia would prefer America as the mandatory Power for all the German possessions in the Pacific or Great Britain, or a solution by accepting the equator as marking the terminus of the southward descent of the Japanese. Perhaps it is still possible to secure mandatory control over the Marshalls and Carolines for Great Britain, provided Japan receives territorial compensation elsewhere. (Router's Telegrams.) (Received January 24th, 1.55 a.m.) LONDON, January 21. It is understood that there is an agreement between the Allies and Japan giving Japan possession of the Caroline and Marshal. Islands. Australia strongly opposes such a course. | MR HUGHES GIVES OFFENCE, j LONDON, January 22-. Air W. M. Hughes says tha't Australia is not enthusiastic about the League of Nations, considering it Utopian. A more piactical plan would be to eradicate war by international regulation of economic and commercial friendship. He was surprised that his view relating to the Pacific Islands had offended Japan.