Sugar, Please!
p. 28 · Read in the full issue
The British-American Occupation of Canton Is.
From Our Own Correspondent
Honolulu, Nov. 13.
THE publicity which “P.1.M.” has given to the joint British-U.S. occupation of Canton Island, a potential airways island in the Phoenix Group, is bearing interesting fruit. For example: In the May issue, page 14, it was re ported how Captain William Martin, of R.M.S. “Niagara”, obligingly dropped off some food at the island when the Ameri can residents were running low in their supply.
This was a good human-interest story which the U.S. press duly used; but it
annoyed the U.S. departmental employees, who are responsible tor the victualing oi the American outpost on Canton.
But the score was evened. To-day’s mail brings an official note to this correspon dent from the U.S. department, enclos ing the copy of a radio message from the Britishers on Canton to the U.S. authori ties. The message requests the Americans to secure certain lantern spare parts for the Britishers and, of course, to take them along on the next U.S. cruise to the Line Islands in about one month’s time.
But the British message ends; . also 50 pounds of sugar . . .”
With immense official satisfaction this message was passed on to me to-day.
However, my detached viewpoint is that it is a reflection upon both the U.S. and British authorities. Why should the British group appeal to America? Is the British Colonial Office running short of funds? If the Britishers want food, can not it be sent up from Suva? Why can’t both Governments run their respective shows properly, or is America becoming the housekeeper for John Bull’s Pacific paradises?
If this sort of precedent-establishing goes much further, we’ll have the Aleutian islanders appealing for shipments of Fiji oranges, etc.!
Incidentally, both the British trans pacific liners “Aorangi” and “Niagara” have been ordered to stand well off Can ton. This is an insurance company stipu lation. However, both liners continue to drop overboard food, magazines and other “luxuries” in passing the island, north and southbound. The British colonists have a navy whaler, and they sail out and pick up the parcels which are packed in watertight cans. The contents are shared with the Americans, of course.