Central Islands’

Future

Britain and U.S.A. Have "Share Control" Plan

MOVE and counter-move continue in the Central Pacific, as part of the friendly competition between Britain and the United States for the control of islands which, hitherto regarded as of little economic value, are now expected to become very desirable as possible bases for trans-Pacific aeroplane ser vices.

The more sensational and anti-British American newspapers—which, signi ficantly enough, are also the least re liable newspapers—continually publish silly stories about the existence of bad feeling between British and American officials in the Islands. These reports, however, are discounted by well-informed people. There is no doubt that, wherever the British and Americans meet, they are on perfectly friendly terms, and it is apparent, also, that there is some

kind of amicable understanding between London and Washington regarding the future of the islands. (See article on page 23.) It was reported with authority from London on June 10 that Britain and the United States have practically agreed that islands, whose title of ownership is in doubt, but which now have value as air bases, shall be run under a “share control system”.

The Resident Commissioner in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands recently was in conference in Suva with Sir Arthur Richards, High Commissioner for the Western Pacific; and it is worth noting that the following was contained in a news-despatch from London on June lli- Great Britain will shortly colonise the Phoenix Islands, including Canton and Enderbury, by transferring natives from the Gilbert and Ellice groups. This is disclosed in a memorandum which will be submitted to Parliament with the Colonial Office Estimates, in which the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Sir Arthur Richards, outlines the results of his examination of schemes to relieve the over-population of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. Sir Arthur Richards says that the Phoenix Islands provide good prospects for colonisation, for which he will soon begin to transfer natives.

Funny Story About Marquesas.

Typical of the statements being made in the American press about certain Pacific islands is the following extract from a Washington journal:— “It is not supposed to be known, but an extremely important diplomatic deal with France is in the making when Ambassador Bill Bullitt gets back to Paris.

“It is a plan to use the vast network of the French Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific as American commercial airplane bases between Australia, South America and the United States.

“Whether this country will offer to buy some of the islands outright (pos sibly for cancellation of debts) or whether a leasing proposition will be worked out with the French, is not known. The negotiation still is in a nebulous state.

“All the State department actually wants is the right to establish regular landing bases in the French islands, al though the purchase of some of them might be feasible.

“The Marquesas Islands would be a sort of crossroads in mid-Pacific, where the air traveller would change planes for

Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Auckland, San Francisco, Santiago or Lima.

“Most important member of the Mar quesas group is Tahiti, one of the most beautiful spots in the South Pacific.

“The islands are of no commercial or economic importance to the French, and the latter are expected to be much more co-operative than the British in work ing out an air deal with the United States.”

Probably, the columnists have never seen the Pacific. At that, even a casual glance at the map might have saved them some of the grotesque geographical errors they have made in their com ment.

British Trans-Pacific

Service

It was officially announced in Lon don on June 15 that terms have been agreed on for a British Trans-Pacific Air Service, running from New Zea land to either Vancouver or San Fran cisco. Stopping-places have not yet been selected.