Britain's Claim To Central

Pacific Atolls

IN recent years, there has been much discussion and behind-the-scenes activity concerning the ownership of various small Central Pacific Islands, important from aviation and strategic viewpoints When U.S.A. formally annexed Howland and Baker Islands, at the end of 1935, Britain de cided to make quite clear her title to the atolls of the Phoenix Group (now included in the

Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony), to the south, and Christmas Island, to the east. Accordingly, a British warship from the N.Z. station called at a number of mid-Pacific atolls and blue jackets erected notices of sovereignty on each of them.

The top and middle photographs, above, show the notice-boards placed on Hull Island, most southerly of the Phoenix Group. The inscrip tions read. “British Pacific Airways Adminis tration Area, Land Aerodrome” and (below), "This island belongs to His Britannic Majesty King Edward VIII and was visited by H.M.S.

Leith, August, 1936. Signed, O. Bevir, Cap tain”. Incidentally, it provides an interesting memento of the King who gave up the world’s greatest throne for love of an American lady.

With his wife and young daughter, in the bottom photograph, is bearded Tom Manning.

Acting Administrator of Christmas Island, where sovereignty notice-boards were also set up, and a powerful radio transmitter established.