JAPAN’S NAVAL POLICY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3252, 24 June 1911, Page 3

JAPAN’S NAVAL POLICY.

NEW PACIFIC BASE SUGGESTED.

SYDNEY AS A PORT OF CALL

The Naval Department indicates that the Japanese policy favors an increase of movable armaments for defence rather than devoting large sums of rnoiie- to schemes for stationary defence.

This is formally denied, but it is believed to be authentic: that Japan contemplates the establishment of a.naval base ip the Bonin Islands, with ports of call at Yokohama and Sydney. The Naval Minister, Mr Saitq, and Admiral Uriu toured the islands last year to make a selection, and have since formulated plans. [The Bonin Islands are ,a group in the North Pacific Ocean almost in a straight line between Tokio and Sydney, but considerably nearer to Japan than to-Aus-tralia. The islands consist of four clusters, the best-known islands or island groups being Coffin, Parry, Peel, and Kater. Since Die recognition, in 1861, of Japanese ownership, the few English and American settlements that had been established have been abandoned. . The administrative seat is at Port Lloyd on Peel Island, known to the Japanese as Olio Minato'.]