Page 150 - Micronesia

he naval administration in all districts were limited only by the yearly scrutiny by tion and any attempt to do so might imply
the Permanent Mandates Commission of League suspicion regarding the word and
T would take the form of Japanese con- the League of Nations in Geneva. In June good faith of the Japanese. When critical
of each year, the Japanese Mandate came questioning and rebuffs to Japanese policy
trolled assimilation under force leading to up for review and the Commission would implying misconduct regarding practices
the exploitation and regimentation of the examine reports by Japanese officials in the mandates did occur on rare occa-
islanders with the objective being to make and ask questions relevant to the specific sions, no action would result. In reality, the
Micronesia an integral part of the Empire. terms of the covenant. Exchanges between Commission was powerless and incapable
Similar measures were implemented in all Japanese representatives and members of of accurately judging the Japanese obliga-
districts and included the following: Deal- the Commission to discuss the progress in tions with respect to the mandates.
ing swiftly with any resistance. Issuing laws fulfilling terms of the Mandate produced
and regulations needed to insure peace and little. Following the submission of the an- T he principal responsibility imposed on
order. Importation of traders, teachers, doc- nual report by Japanese representatives, Japan as a trustee over the territories
tors, and scientists. Supervising education, Commission members restricted themselves to promote and protect the material well
hygiene, and sanitation. Initiating surveys to questioning of the representatives on being of indigenous inhabitants and help
and censuses. Expanding the road systems, the basis of their own careful securitization in their becoming a free, self-governing
docks, wharves, and navigational channels of the prepared report. With no first-hand people was ignored. The period between
and buoys. Charting of island coastlines, knowledge of the mandated territories 1914 and 1920 was characterized by a tran-
reefs, and obstacles. Promoting Japanese under question, the Commission members sition from naval to civilian administration.
language instruction. Restructuring village were limited in their understanding of the By 1920, all Naval Defense Force authority
life to conform to Japanese values and subject at hand and their supervisory ca- was transferred to the Civil Affairs Bureau in
customs. Promoting agriculture and trade. pacity was severely limited. No attempt was Truk. This bureau, responsible to the Navy
Subsidizing steamship services between made by Commission members to inspect Ministry, would be transferred from Truk to
territories. the mandated territories since this might Palau in 1921.
obstruct the progress of the administra-
J apan’s adopted policies in pursuit of its
opportunities for national self-interest