JAP OUTPOSTS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1933, Page 5

JAP OUTPOSTS

IN MANDATED ISLANDS INTENTION TO FORTIFY I'OKIO, September 16. The Seiyukai Party’s programme, the main feature of which is the strengthening of defence, will be carried out by the new National Government of Japan, which is composed of the fied ulcai and Liberal parties, who hold SO per cent of the seats in the Diet. The policy of the Government, according to the Premier (Baron Saito) includes the making of the mandated islands the first line of defence, and adequate provision for further defence, on the expiry of the Washington and London treaties. When Japan left the League of ‘Nations in March, it was suggested •that, being no longer bound by the covenant which prohibits the fortification of mandated territories, Japan s mandated islands might be armed, and the Government’s avowed intention to now make the islands the first line of defence is a reversal of the previously declared policy. When it was suggested that Japan should not retain the mandates after quitting the League, Japan made it clear that she should not forfeit them, but would not fortify them. The question of finance is all-im-portant. Japan has already spent £2,000,000 on her islands—mandated and otherwise.