811.0141 Phoenix Group/69
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Aide-Mémoire
His Majesty’s Government are of the opinion that the discussion of details regarding the question of the future administration of Canton [Page 92] and Enderbury Islands, as also of the other matters dealt with in the memorandum which was handed to the United States Ambassador in London on the 31st March should await the direct conversations which they have proposed. In the meantime however, in order to clarify the position they desire that certain explanations of their attitude should reach the United States Government in advance.
- (1)
- In referring in the above mentioned memorandum to “any island situated in the area likely to be served by a trans-Pacific air route” His Majesty’s Government had in mind that full air facilities should be granted on a reciprocal basis to British and United States nationals at any island under British or United States jurisdiction at which intermediate landing facilities might be required for the purpose of air services operating across the Pacific between British or United States territories on either side. It was not the intention of His Majesty’s Government to exclude from this arrangement any island under their jurisdiction at which intermediate landing facilities might be required.
- (2)
- As regards Hawaii it was the hope of His Majesty’s Government that this territory might be included in an arrangement for reciprocal facilities. They have envisaged that, apart from the position in the two islands, Canton and Enderbury, in regard to which some joint administration or régime is contemplated, each Government would in their own islands under their exclusive sovereignty grant equal facilities to the nationals and operating companies of the other. They assume that the United States Government would not wish to exclude Hawaii from application of this principle seeing that similar freedom is being offered in such intermediate British islands as may be necessary for trans-Pacific services with the single object of cooperation between the United States and the British Government concerned in securing prior rights of their own nationals in joint use of these facilities.
- (3)
- While taking note of the assurance that the issue of a license to Pan American Airways is not intended to prejudice an eventual settlement, His Majesty’s Government feel that it might be premature if the company were to incur expenditure on the preparation of a permanent air base at Canton Island until an opportunity has been afforded for joint discussion regarding the technical and operational aspects of the whole route on which His Majesty’s Government are in a position to contribute such valuable information as a result of recent surveys.
- (4)
- Australia and New Zealand are directly interested in the future of a trans-Pacific air route and they expect to participate in discussions on this subject but His Majesty’s sovereignty over Canton and Enderbury Islands is exercised solely by His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and it will be for that Government and the United [Page 93] States Government to exercise and determine the exact form which the joint trust over Canton and Enderbury Islands is to assume. It goes without saying that when accepting the President’s proposal for a joint trust His Majesty’s Government did not expect either party to forego their claim to sovereignty over the two islands and they are persuaded that when negotiations take place it will be possible to devise some simple system of administration which will safeguard the rights of United States and British nationals without recourse to any complex machinery.
In conclusion it is desired to emphasise the fact that His Majesty’s Government’s immediate concern is to arrive at an agreement in principle which will admit of a public announcement that early conversations are to take place; (1) between the United States Government and His Majesty’s Government regarding the exercise of a joint trust over Canton and Enderbury Islands; and (2) between the four Governments concerned in regard to a future trans-Pacific air service.