Canton Island.

Friendly Rival Claims For

British Official Party Now In Possession There.

TIHE announcement that the United States, after careful examination of historical records extending back into the dawn of European history in the Pacific, has made a formal claim to the ownership of Canton and Enderbury Islands in the Phoenix Group has caused a little surprise. The subject was under consideration more than a year ago and it then seemed evident that Britain’s title to the Phoenix Islands, and especially Canton and Enderbury, was quite clear.

The development, of course, is assoc iated with the rival plans for establish ing an air-mail service across the Central and South Pacific.

The Pan-American Airways service, it is proposed, shall use a route extend-

ing from Hawaii to Kingman Reef (where there is only a moored vessel in sheltered water), thence to Pago Pago (American Samoa), and thence to Auck land (New Zealand). The service con templated by Imperial Airways, on the other hand, proposes to use a route from Auckland to Fiji, thence to Canton Island, and thence to Hawaii.

The renewal of American interest in the Phoenix Group suggests that P.A.A. are not quite happy with their present route and would prefer another, perhaps, further to the west, where there are more islands. It was announced, during the month, that P.A.A. had decided to abandon Pago Pago, on account of the mountains causing dangerous air currents, and put the station instead on Rose Island, a tiny island 100 miles east of Pago; but this was contradicted emphatically by Mr. Harold Gatty, P.A.A. representative in Auckland.

Another suggestion, however, is that the relationship between the United States and Pan-American Airways is not completely happy, and it may be that the American Government, in mak ing its claim to certain of the Phoenix Islands, is acting quite independently of P.A.A.

ORIGINALLY, there were 10 islands in the Phoenix Group. America, in 1936 took Howland and Baker Islands (northern outliers), and then there were

eight. Out of the eight, Canton is the one island which is markedly suitable for aviation purposes. The accompany ing map shows that it consists of a rim of land about 550 yards wide, 10 to 20 feet high, and about 20 miles round, enclosing a very large lagoon, at the eastern end of which seaplanes could conveniently alight. It is considered also that a good runway for land planes could be constructed on Canton Island.

In May, 1937, Canton was visited by scientific expeditions from the United States and from New Zealand, to observe a total eclipse of the sun. Both of these parties erected monuments to mark their visit and the monuments were decorated with the respective flags. (See photographs overleaf.) This gave rise to silly newspaper reports that each expedition had formally claimed the island for its own country; but nothing of the kind was attempted.

As Britain has planned a trans pacific seaplane service and as Canton is the only island in the Phoenix Group suitable as a base for seaplanes, it is certain that she long ago satisfied her self that Canton is British, The Phoenix Islands have been shown on the maps of the world for the last hundred years as British; but, just to be sure, on August 6, 1936, H.M.S. “Leith” visited

the island, proclaimed British sov ereignty, hoisted the Union Jack, and buried the proclamation in a container at the foot of the flagpole. A board stating that the islands belonged to King Edward VIII, was nailed to a coconut palm. Again, in January, 1937, the “Leith visited the island and nailed a new notice board to a tree, in the name of King George VI. H.M.S.

“Wellington called at the island in June last and put another notice on the palm.

The British naval sloop “Leith” sailed from Suva on August 25, 1937,

Upper; The British radio station re cently established on Canton Island.

In centre, the main building; native servant’s room, with rat-proof tank, nearest to camera; kitchen and store at far end.

Lower; Interior of main building Radio apparatus in centre, and re frigerator on right.

Map showing position of Phoenix Islands in re lation to other Central Pacific groups.

carrying two British officials, Messrs.

F. H. Rostier, (radio operator) and G. V. Langdale, (engineer), who were to remain there for six months, and necessary equipment. They were landed in September with a native servant and made themselves comfortable. They had ready-made bungalows, electric light, and refrigeration, and they maintained a regular meteorological service. In January, Mr. Rostier was relieved by Mr. Tom Manning, and Mr. Rostier now is stationed at the radio station at Lautoka, Fiji.

It is reported that the argument of the United States is that the mere act of landing on an island and hoisting a flag there does not necessarily mean that such an island becomes the property of the nation that discovered it. Wash ington says that if a territory is to be recognised as the property of a par ticular nation, there must be reasonable and effective occupation.

It was reported, early in March, that a U.S.S. vessel had left Honolulu to land an American official party on Canton and Enderbury Islands, but there is no confirmation of this.

Australia’s setisation-loving news papers are howling and yelping, and suggesting friction between Britain and U.S.A. Some declare that Australia is “vitally interested” Actually this matter of clearing up the titles to these islands is being quite amicably discussed between Washington and London; and Australia has nothing whatever to do with the matter.

Most of the Phoenix Islands are high, wide, and flat, and capable of supporting a population but, except Canton, they have nothing in the shape of harbours.

They have not supported any permanent population. For many years various concerns, mostly British, occupied certain of the islands and obtained guano there; and in more recent times some of the islands have been leased to a British company which has maintained small

staffs there for the growing of coco nuts.

Historical records show that Canton was annexed by Captain Gibson in H.M.S. “Curacoa” 80 years ago, when the laying of the Pacific cable gave new values to Central Pacific Islands. Messrs.

Arundel and Co., in the 80’s (especially 1885-6) worked large deposits of phos phate-guano on Canton Island.

Left to right: F. H. Rostier (administrative officer and radio operator), G. V. Langdale (as sistant) and Makini (Ellice islander and handy man). A photo, taken in December on Canton Island.

The memorial plinths set up by the British and American solar eclipse expeditions, which visited Canton Island in June, 1937.