U.S. AFTER PACIFIC ISLANDS

Chronicle (Levin), 8 April 1946, Page 5

U.S. AFTER PACIFIC ISLANDS

Received Sunflay,- 8.4Q p.mNEW YORK, April 7. A 15-man mission, eomposed of military, economic, agricultural and gejlogical experts, has left for the Pacifle to inspect all major and secondary islands in order to recommend to the Joint Chiefs of Staff those which ought to be improved as permanent bases apd those which should he abandoned. The New York nerald-Tnoune's. Washington correspondent says that t)i3 niission, while paying particular atten tion to the Gilberts, Marshalls, Marianas and Carolines, will also visit Bllice and the Solomon Islands. It is reported that some importaht military men consider that the United States should retain at least a foothold on some of the mineral-rich Paciflc islands. The mission will inspect minutely every island, observing strategic factors and also the islands' ability to support troops and maintain large scale installations. Truk will be built up as a strong naval base. In Washington the State Department announced that the United States had mformed Equador that she would cojn. • pletely withdraw her forces from her" wartime air and naval bases on the* Gaiapagos Islands by July 1. This decision was reached after an extensive exchange of views about the future use of the bases.