While the whole question appeared to be only an internal affair of the Commonwealth, it seemed to have] had international repercussions, Some time ago the Government. started ction on and lease of doubiul but proceedings were stopped after the trial of one case. The action was abandoned, it was rumoured, because of an' "understanding" between Washington and Manila. Not long ago the Commonwealth President Sr, Manuel Quezon, and a number of assemblyman went to Davao-on an {nepection.-trip~and on the party's return to Manila, the President said there' was "no Japanese problem Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura, not long before he was named" Ambassador to the United Slates, visited Davao to inquire into the "health" of the Japanese there, There are approximately 20000 Japanese No estimate of the extent of Japan ese landholdings in Davao was available, but 60,000 hectares of these. holdings were said to be of doubtful legality. How many Japanese Filipinos were involved in cases of! Hlegal land leasing has never been established, but the Government was said to have full information on the subject.
The tense Far Eastern situation and the recent emphasis on Japan's southward expansion programme have. Served to focus increased interest on the Davao land question, Filipino) sources believed drastic action in the ¢as0 of Japanese landholdings has een withheld thus far in the terest of harmonious relations with Tokyo—United Press.
United States establish air or naval bases near Japan.
'Admiral Nomura said, "however, that Japan realized the Philippines, Guam and Samoa were United. States possessions and hence the United States technically had a right whatever it' wished in. the 'The Ambassador said he believed! the United States would not' bulld large air base and naval base in the Philippines.
'Admiral Nomura was asked to clarify the statement of Mr. Chuich! 'Ohashi, Japanese Vice-Minister _of Foreign Affairs, before the Diet this week in which he said Japan was making an effort to ensure that the Philippines would' not endanger Japan in the future,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.