Atolls

Reaching Out For

U.S.A. Claims in Central Pacific

IT is reported that the United States Government has commenced an action in the Federal Court to obtain title to Palmyra Island, and any atolls in its vicinity, for use as air bases.

This report is a little surprising.

Palmyra lies southwards of Hawaii, on the route between Hawaii and Fiji, and was for years regarded as the property of Judge Cooper, of Honolulu, and had been leased by him to an American copra company. It was stated, in 1935, that the island was claimed by the United States for air base purposes, and it was apparently formally occupied by U.S.A. in 1936. Since then it has been regarded as American territory. There never has been any suggestion that Britain contested the claim, although Palmyra apparently was formally an nexed for Great Britain by Commander Nichols, of H.M.S. “Cormorant,” on May 28, 1889, in expectation of its use as a station for the Pacific cable. When Pan ning Island was selected, instead. Britain took no further interest in Palmyra.

It is also reported from Honolulu that the United States intends to file suits

for the sovereignty of the following islands of the Central Pacific:— Washington Island, Christmas Island, Malden Island and Starbuck Island: Washington and Christmas Islands are part of the Gilbert and Ellice Colony Administration, and have been adminis tered by Britain and recognised as Brit ish territory for a very long time. Malden and Starbuck are not in the same cate gory—they are isolated, unoccupied islands which never have been regarded as of much economic value and. while nominally British, they have not been under any particular administration.

Vostock, Flint and Caroline Islands: All these are in practically the same category as Malden and Starbuck—they have been nominally British for a very long time, they have been used to some extent for guano production or the growing of coconuts, but they have not been permanently occupied.

Penrhyn, Rakahanga (Reirson’s), Dan ger, Nassau and Suwarrow Islands: All these are part of the Cook Islands Administration: and they have been in the occupation of natives, usually under the direction of official British agents (New Zealanders) for about half a century. Any attempt by the United States to come in at this late date, and claim ownership, will not only be resisted but will be much resented.