JUST THREE MILES north of Tinian's northern tip, not far from Manuel de la Cruz's invasion beach, lies Saipan. More mountainous and slightly larger, she has a population of about 14,000, a stark contrast to Tinian's 850. Most of the population there are also Chamorro.

Saipan is the provincial capital of Micronesia, a federation of over 2,000 islands in the Pacific covering an area larger than the U. S. The islands of the Northern Marianas, with the exception of Guam, are still part of Micronesia. They are also a part of a Trust Territory under the United Nations but a recent covenant has permitted them to establish their own government and is designed to bring them into a commonwealth status with the U. S. by 1981. 1 wanted to find out more about the new covenant.

In a modest, yet comfortable office on Saipan, I met Dr. Erwin D. Canham, Editor Emeritus of the well-known Christian Science Monitor. Dr. Canham is the first Resident Commissioner of the Northern Marianas which consists of Rota, Tinian, Saipan and many other smaller islands, many of which are uninhabited

"I was asked to come out here to administer the plebiscite by which they voted on the

Covenant for Commonwealth status," he explained.

"I didn't know much about these islands and was neither for nor against the covenant so I guess I could observe the elections impartially."

"After the people voted in favor of the covenant, the President asked me if I would stay on as the first Resident Commissioner."

"Why do the people of the Northern Marianas want to pull out of the Trust Territory. Or maybe I should ask, why don't all Micronesians want commonwealth status?" I inquired. Dr. Canham thoughtfully replied, "Due to our close association with Saipan and Tinian during the war and our support since the war, I think the Northern Marianas people feel closer to the U. S. than other islands where our presence has not been so pronounced. Rota, of course, being so close to Guam has had a close association with us for a long time."

I was waiting for a chance to get his views on the lack of growth on Tinian in relation to the obvious progress Saipan was showing.

"I think the answer to the growth disparities between Tinian and Saipan have to do with native population differences and the fact Saipan has been the capital of Micronesia," he related. "This has brought many visitors in and has resulted in hotels being built and a new airport constructed. Pete Coleman, Acting High Commissioner of the Trust Territory (the overseer of Micronesia) and I are working now to transfer governmental functions and responsibilities to the Northern Marianas." Having known Pete Coleman for ten years and now meeting Dr. Canham, I knew the governments of Micronesia and Northern Marianas were in capable hands.

BACK ON TINIAN I ran into Ken Jones arriving by chartered plane from his Guam office.

"How's it going? Are you comfortable at the Old Fleming," he asked. He had graciously offered the room to me since he had leased the place for his ranch hands.

"Everything's fine - including that black hen that helps me with the coffee each morning in the kitchen," I laughed. Actually I had no complaints. Chickens don't bother me - even in the kitchen. You get used to those type of things on Tinian.

The Old Fleming is something to behold. Built in 1945, as quarters for the Tinian Island Commander, it is the only American structure still standing and has endured countless typhoons.

"I will put you in Gen. LeMay's room," Henry Fleming had told me a few years back. "This was his headquarters during the war."

Having arrived on Tinian after the war in 1948, he was carrying on a rumor he had picked up. There was no one on the island, except me, who really knew Gen. LeMay's headquarters was never on Tinian, but on Guam. I had neither the heart nor the inclination to correct Henry.

ECONOMICALLY, people on the is land are heavily dependent upon the U.S.

Our country's Department of Defense has given some consideration to the reestablishment of a military base on Tinian, for it is the least populated of islands in the Marianas chain. Its topography, also, is ideally suited for a long runway. Already small amphibious forces are conducting training exercises there every few months.

"We want to be a part of the U.S.," says Jose Cruz, former mayor of Tinian. "I would also like to see the U.S. military build a new base here."

Loading pits BEFORE being filled in (1949 photo)

Jose has been one of the prime movers of the successful convenant campaign for the Marianas and contends he speaks for most of the people on the island in this regard.

Other islanders, such as the current mayor, Felipe Mendiola, would like to see more tourism, particularly Japanese. Tinian is only three hours by air from Japan. Ken Jones, the one who has most at stake and would be most affected by a base, has a philosophical attitude.

"I lease the ranch land from the Trust Territory." says Jones, "and several thousand acres are in the socalled military retention area, where the base would probably be built. But if they need it for a new base that comes first. If they don't I'll keep producing beef and fresh milk."

In controversial matters like this I turned to the wise counsel of my old friend, Henry Fleming, who had 81 years experience living on three different islands.

"Henry, what are your thoughts about bringing a new military base to Tinian?", I carefully asked. He thought a long time, took another sip of his beer, and said, "I think it would be a good thing. We would get better schools, it would bring doctors and better medical treatment and our children would be able to learn more from association with other youngsters. Yes, I think it would help us."

Whether or not Henry's dream of a better way of life for his grandchildren as a result of a military base is wishful thinking, only the future will tell. His answer, however, was not self-serving and he was thinking of his children.

WHILE PONDERING Henry Fleming's thoughts about a new military base, I encountered a Japanese man who did not look like a typical island tourist. He seemed to gaze out the window of the New Fleming, preoccupied with his thoughts.

"Do you speak English?", I asked approaching him.

"Skoshi (meaning little in Japanese)," he smiled back.

Through the difficult conversation (I spoke less Japanese than he did English), I gathered enough to know I had found the Japanese counterpart of Manuel de la Cruz.

Abe (pronounced Ah-bay) Koshi from Tokyo knew the island from the Japanese days as well as since the war.

"I come to Tinyun 1934. Work sugah company. Stay here ten year then Amelicans capture me up there in hills," he said, gesturing to the hills in the southern part of the island

where many caves were used by the Japanese to hide out from the Americans.

"I come back each year. Pray in hills and at shrine. I like Tinyun ... like home to me," he continued. When I told him I first came to Tinian in 1945, he looked aghast and asked, "You soldier?"

"Well, not quite," I explained, "I was airman soldier north end of island." I was beginning to speak in my own version of Japanese broken English, thinking it would help.

"I was born April 27, 1913. I come Tinyun when I 21," he said, pulling out his passport proudly showing me his birthdate.

Americans don't need passports to visit any of the Northern Marianas, but I couldn't resist going after mine. Returning, I showed it to Abe. My birthdate showed April 27, 1916. His eyes looked in disbelief. Slowly a huge smile spread over his face and he shook my hand vigorously. From then on we were bosom pals.

The next morning I found Abe and his two traveling companions praying at the Japanese shrine near the harbor. When they finished he approached me.

"Last night I talk Arai," he pointed to Arai Nakana, also from Tokyo. They had met on the plane coming down from Japan.

"Arai, Navy construction worker Tinyun 1944. He captured same as me. We remember we both meet before in cave up in hills 1945. Never see each other until yesterday. Both live in Tokyo," Abe informed.

Tinian has produced another surprise. I wondered how many other hidden secrets this island must have buried, only waiting to be found.