PACIFIC ISLANDS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 115, 8 February 1919, Page 7

PACIFIC ISLANDS

QUESTION OF INTERNATIONALISATION S MARSHALL AND CAROLINE GROUPS{ " FEELING IN JAPAN , 1 ' '■ . By Telegraph—Press Asfiociation—Copyright Tokio, February 6. , The question of tho iiiternationalisation ■ " a of tho German possessions in the Pacific is engrossing attention. The consensus , ' of opinion is that Japan is entitled defin- ' ilely to hold the Marshall and Caroline .. Groups, in view of the recent understanding with- Britain. the rdienation of those' islands will preate the • deepest disappointment, and might possibly lead to an outbreak of national indignation. According to some opinions ihere is only one condition upon which T Japan could possibly agree to the mandaij tory proposal,'namely, the disarmament t and non-fortification of the islands in the ; Pacific outside Japauese territory. c The newspaper "Asahi" remarks that the Marshnlls and Carolines aro the big " question in the Pacific, which really con- , stitute a, world problem, involving the J question whether America,' Britain, or " Japan'is to be supremo in tho Pacific, i The paper believis that no cause exists • for a conflict of interests between Japan ' and America in China, and that a .-work--1 ing agreement for tho economic development of that country is possible .without P any clashing of mutual interests. There ' is therefore 110 reason ■ why America ' should object to Japan obtaining definite--1 possession of soino islands in the Pacific, r Unless Japan's natural claims are recognised by the • Powers, tho "Asahi" ii 3 afraid that a peaceful solution of the problem of tli& Pacific will be difficult.— Router. Y IMPORTANCE OFTHE ISLANDS TO AUSTRALIA i ' ' • >. MR. HUGHES INTERVIEWED. February 7, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 5. In an interview Mr., Hughes said:— "What the goocb'Rhinc frontier is to France,_ tho Pacific Islands frontier is ,to Australia. _ What the Monroe doctrine is to America, the Pacific question is to Australia. My attitude only interpreted what Australia feels. I can say nothing 1 regarding the arrangement made for the 1 disposition of tho islands, except that 1 where we ought to. feel certain and safe \ • 8 we feel we are in doubt, and perhaps in \ • 1 great danger. It is not that the provis 6ional settlement may not give .us all - essential security, but it does not do so • .yet."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. F < . '