CHRISTMAS ISLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22585, 25 November 1936, Page 13

CHRISTMAS ISLAND

BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY AMERICA'S NON-RECOGNITION (Received November 21, 6.10 p.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 23 The Washington correspondent of the Australian Associated Press states that air-minded officials of tlie United States Government are casting covetous eyes upon Christinas Island. A State Department official declared to-day that the United States would not. recogniso British sovereignty over the island.

It is believed that the question will bo opened diplomatically on the basis of the American "reservation on all questions," of 1888 when Britain, took over Christmas Island.

Christmas Island was annexed by Britain at tho end of 1888, and was made part of the Straits Settlements in May 1900. It is situated in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean, about 190 miles south of Java. Its greatest length is 12 miles and its extreme breadth nine miles.

Tho island was visited by H.M.S. Flying Fish in 1886. In lS9i an area of 6000 acres was leased to Mr. George Clumes Boss, the owner of the CocosKceling Island, and to Sir John Murray, who in 1897 transferred their rights to a company. Its commercial value is due to the deposit of phosphate of lime on the rounded hills.

A district officer belonging to the Malayan Civil Service is in administrative control of the island.