811.0141 Phoenix Group/38½
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Current Information (McDermott) of White House Press Conference, March 7, 1938
Mr. Early81 said informally to the newspapermen (1) that the first claim to title over undiscovered territory rests on discovery; (2) many islands in the Pacific were first discovered by American flagships; (3) the United States has always held that mere discovery does not give final title. That if it is not followed up by reasonable occupation it is insufficient; (4) in regard to the islands in question, of which there are many, the United States is assuming the right to occupy either because of a) discovery, b) former occupation, c) failure of any other nation to occupy or d) a combination of the above three.
The sole reason for the action (occupation) is commercial aviation. It has nothing whatever to do with war or war plans.
The matter undoubtedly will be adjusted amicably.
- Stephen Early, Secretary to the President.↩