PACIFIC ISLES ANNEXED

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22359, 24 March 1938, Page 11

PACIFIC ISLES ANNEXED

ACTION BY UNITED STATES INTEREST IN CHRISTMAS ISLAND STRATEGIC HARBOUR FOB WARSHIPS PRESS ASSOCIATXOS COPYRIGHT.) CReceived March 23, 10.15 pun-) NEW YORK, March 22. Christmas Island has become a new centre of interest in the growing race for Pacific insular possessions among the major maritime Powers, says the Honolulu correspondent of the United Press. The United States has already made plans to colonise Christmas Island, and may claim it in spite of Britain’s proclamation of sovereignty of December 28, 1919There are also persistent rumours that Western Samoa and Apia may be turned over to Germany in British colonial deal.” There is a definite indication that the United States Navy regards Christmas Island as having considerable strategic importance from the military as well as the commercial viewpoint, since Christmas Island harbour is capable of development for warships. The coastguard cutter Taney has returned to Honolulu after raising the United States flag on Canton and Enderbury Islands in the Phoenix Group. The party did not touch the British flag. ...... The Americans made contact with the members of the solar echpse observation expedition of the British Geographical Society on Enderbury Island, who were not surprised because they had heard Mr Roosevelt’s announcement of annexation by radio. Friendly relations were maintained. Hawaiian youths have been left behind as weather observers.