811.79690 Pan American Airways/141
Memorandum by the Counselor of the Department of State (Moore) to the Secretary of State
Since we saw you I have had a telephone talk with Sir Ronald Lindsay stating to him that we consider authorizing a small survey party of the Pan American Company with some equipment to go from Pago Pago to Canton Island on a Navy tug which is scheduled to sail early next week from Pago Pago, and that this is not with any thought of trying to create any evidence of American ownership of Canton but merely for the purpose of looking over the island and indicating where the location of the American aviation and radio facilities would be practicable, and it being understood that the final determination as to the use of the island by the two Governments will hereafter be mutually agreed. The Ambassador said that he understood what we had in mind and he offered no objection.
I did not mention to the Ambassador our understanding that the British have already arranged to have a naval vessel there, H. M. S. Leith.
Our definite understanding here has been for some time that the plan of enabling the Pan American people to go to Canton as indicated has had the approval of the Interior Department through Dr. Gruening, and of the Navy Department through Admiral Leahy.
The conversation was had with the British Ambassador immediately following the conversation with the Secretary at which Messrs. Moffat and Southgate and Moore were present, and Messrs. Moffat and Southgate were in my office while I talked with the British Ambassador [Page 101] and while I dictated the foregoing statement which has their approval.