A JAPANESE INVASION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1075, 14 March 1911, Page 5

A JAPANESE INVASION.

fr. [ACTIVITY IN NEW CALEDONIA. -By Telecraph-Press Assoriation-Couyriclil. . *' ' Sydney,' llarcli" 13. ' ' Watriama, who claims to be King of tho Loyalty Islands, is informed that tho Japanese are experimenting with wireless telegraphy in a lonely part of New Caledonia. Ho believes that Japan intends to establish a naval base in New Caledonia in order to attack Australasia. "KING OF THE LOYALTIES." MR. WATRIAMA'S FEARS. ; Mr.W. J. Watriama, a coloured gentloraan of independent means, who claims to be the King of the Loyalty Islands, is at present (says the Sydney "Herald") in communication with tho French and British; Governments concerning his people. It is 21 years since Mr. Watriama came to Sydney. He is now a well-set young man of 32 years, decidedly goodlooking, cultured, and well .educated. His travels have been considerable, and h{j is master of a number of languages. He is an intensely religious young man, and figured prominently as an honorary official during the conduct of the recent Chapman-Alexander mission in Sydney. The story which Mr. Watriama tells is that ho quarrelled with his father, the late King, 21 years ago, because he allowed the French to establish a protectorate over the islands. The "heir" to the Loyalties was not rich when he arrived in Sydney. He straightaway took work as gardener out at Paddington, and later on became a coachman, and did other honest work. But. ho had a good mother, who found out his whereabouts, and took steos to put away from the need for work." France's first recognition of the young prince came from the late President Loubet, about six years ago. It took the shape of an invitation to France, and was sent direct to the King. The latter had it sent on to Sydney, and Watfiama went over to France, and became the President's guest. He gave practical proof of his love for Britain by serving under Lord Jlethuen as a corporal in the Boor war. A little over a year ago the lato King of the Loyalties died, and despite his quarrel with the heir, did not forget him. Watriama, under his father's will, becamo possessed of very considerable means, and to-day is a wealthy man. In a recent dispatch to the French Consul-General at Sydney Watriama announces that Japaneso spies are infesting New Caledonia on the pretence of being miners. It is stated that theso men work for a time in tho mines, and then go through the country taking surveys and generally noting the lay of the land. So serious is Watriama about his Japanese scare that he has addressed the following letter to tho Consul-General for Franco in SydneySydney, February 3, 1911. To the Consul-Geueral of France, Sydney. Sir,—l wish to communicate with you respecting certain facts which have reached me concerning New Caledonia, one Of my island possessions. I am informed that a large number of Japanese workmen have been brought out and located in that district, engaging in the mining business, as carried on by the Nicol Mining Company. I want to say at once, that I strongly object and emphatically protest against their presence there or any other part of my country in such large numbers. I am persuaded that they are a menace, and possible source of grave trouble to my people and country both; r.-:d that thev have already been engaged during their leisure time in drawing plans, etc., nf the surrounding country. This news justly causes me some alarm, and I do most strongly urge the French Government, to whom we look for protection, to act at once and command the Nicol Company to denort these undesirable people from my shores. Hoping for a quick response: to my requests, . I wonbl remain. Tour faithfully. WATRIAMA. King of the Loyalty Islands