HAINAN ISLAND OCCUPATION

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20731, 15 February 1939, Page 6

HAINAN ISLAND OCCUPATION

Even a casual glance at the map discloses the importance to the future of the Pacific of the Japanese occupation of Hainan Island, off the south-east coast of China And dangerously close to Hong Kong and the trade routes to the south. Britain and France have promptly sought an explanation of Japan’s intentions, and the reply has not caused much surprise. Japan declares that the island was occupied because of temporary “military necessity,” and that Japan has no intention of occupying the island permanently. It is reported, however, that the Japanese have conscripted Chinese labour to construct aerodromes and to dredge the Hoihow harbour to accommodate larger warships.

There is no doubt about the strategic advantage to Japan of possession of the island. Bases on Hainan would greatly facilitate attack on the southern coasts of China, and upon Hong Kong, Singapore and Manila, and would allow Japanese ships, aeroplanes and submarines to prey upon the chief trade routes to the East. The assurance that the occupation is only temporary will be accepted in the light of previous assurances that Japan had no territorial ambitions, first in Manchukuo and later in the rest of China. Some Japanese authorities have suggested that it will take Japan 100 years to reduce China to complete submission. If that is so, the “temporary” occupation of Hainan Island assumes an air of permanence.

Japan, however, is in possession and is not likely to be persuaded to move by any diplomatic action the interested Powers might take. The action does certainly touch American interests more intimately, and an American Note to Japan might well have accompanied the inquiries from Britain and France. The Chinese commander, Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, has declared that occupation

of the island is of little importance to China from a military point of view, but be is amazed that Britain and America can “unconcernedly watch this dangerous development.” He sees in the occupation and fortification of the island the “turning point in the international situation in the Pacific.”