| Summary: | Japanese See Peril In Midway Isle Base: Markham Plan Would Advance Spearhead Of Naval Operations 800 Miles Westward. JAPANESE SEE PERIL IN MIDWAY ISLE BASE Markham Plan Would Advance Spearhead of Naval Operations 800 Miles Westward. TOKYO, Nov. 14.—Japanese Naval authorities attach great importance to the reports that Maj. Gen. Edward M. Markham, chief of the United States Army Engineers, recommended on Thursday that a seaplane base be constructed at Midway Island for use in the Pan American Airways trans-Pacific service. Without questioning the propriety of the project the naval officers contend that it alters the strategic position in the Western Pacific and will increase the striking power of the United States in Asian waters. They believe the recommendations were made in anticipation of the expiration of the Pacific fortification agreements in the Washington Naval Treaty on Dec. 31. A base on Midway Island, it is pointed out, would advance the spearhead of United States naval operations 800 miles westward of Hawaii and bring the Japanese mainland within 2,000 of American aircraft. It is not explained how Japan would be endangered but it was said Japan must be prepared for menaces from three directions, the Aleutian Island, the Philippine Islands and Midway Island.
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