BRITAIN FIRM ON RIGHTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20983, 11 March 1938, Page 9

BRITAIN FIRM ON RIGHTS

AMERICAN CLAIM TO ISLANDS JURIDICIAL POSITION UNCHANGED PLANS FOR SETTLEMENT PROPOSED British Official Wireless RUGBY, March 9. In the House of Commons the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain), referred to the discussion last year with the United States Government in which they had contested the validity of the British claim to the Phoenix Group in which the islands of Canton and Enderbury are situated, and declined to recognise the British Order-in-Council of March 18, 1937. Mr Chamberlain said that the British Ambassador at Washington (Sir Ronald Lindsay) had been instructed to inform the United States Government that the British Government could not regard the juridical situation as in any way affected by the recent action of the United States which included a landing on Canton Island. This island had been effectively occupied by the British Government on August 5, 1937 and an administrative now resided there. Sir Ronald Lindsay was instructed to add that the British Government maintained all their rights to the Phoenix Group. Mr chamberlain said it was Intended in the immediate future to submit proposals to the United States which it was hoped would serve as a basis for ending this controversy in a manner satisfactory to both parties. The Australian Associated Press understands that Mr Chamberlain’s declaration that Great Britain does not recognise the American juridical claim to Enderbury and Canton Islands does not mean that Great Britain intends to retain the islands. On the contrary provided the United States admits Great Britain’s legal position, and agrees to concede the British Empire trans-Pacific air route rights Great Britain will concede the islands to America.

NOTE FORMALLY RECEIVED EFFORT TO SETTLE PROBLEM United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph— Copyright (Received March 10. 7.50 p.m.) ’ NEW YORK, March 10. Th° State Department has received the British Note formally reserving the British rights to Canton and Enderbury. It is understood that the Note contained proposals for a solution of the controversy, and it is expected that an effort will be made to determine principles which will not only settle the status of Canton and Enderbury, but will pave the way for an adjustment of the ownership of numerous other small islands in the Pacific. The Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) manifested no surprise over the Note. He declined to indicate whether a plan for the joint ownership of the two islands is contemplated. “Caught Between Two Fires” “The New York Sun,” in an editorial regarding the islands, says: “In the present negotiations Britain must of course take into account New Zealand’s sensibilities. The Ministry is in fact caught between two fires, but may cite a possible usefulness to Imperial Defence of having the United States possess another stake in the South Pacific.