CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919 — Page 563

553

(Soshu Maru"), Natural disadvantages described above will always make it very difficult for the port to figure as a serious competitor of either Hongkong or Manila, but our experience of the Japanese ten- dency to develop what is their own, even at incon- venience and financial loss to themselves, rather than rely more profitably on foreign facilities, should serve to indicate that the possibility of such competition being attempted in the future is

not to be ignored.

I am not competent to express any opinion as to whether the Japanese Government entertain any

for idea of using Tekow harbour, when completed,

naval purposes.

Since there is already in existence

a naval base at the Pescadores, such use would appear improbable, but one or two facts which have recently come to my knowledge may be worth mentioning. In the month of May last, a large naval wireless station was completed at Nozen in the vicinity of

Takow.

Great secrecy is maintained regarding this installation and I have been unable to glean any particulars. I understand, however, that there are nineteen aerials and that the plant was made in Japan. Then, in the same neighbourhood, an aerodrome has been, or is being, laid out. The ostensible use to which this is to be put is to teach aviation to the Formosan Gendarmerie in order that they may carry

out operations against the savage s. Other points of possible interest are the great anxiety shown by the Naval Staff Office in regard to the purchase

of

¡