Article I
The Government of the United States and the Government of
the United Kingdom, without prejudice to their
respective claims to Canton and Enderbury Islands, agree
to set up a joint control over these islands.
Article II
The islands shall, during the period of joint control, be
administered by a United States and a British official
appointed by their respective Governments. The manner in
which these two officials shall exercise the powers of
administration reserved to them under this Article shall
be determined by the two Governments in consultation as
occasion may require.
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Article III
The Islands shall, during the period of joint control, be
subject to a special joint ad hoc
régime the details of which shall be determined by the
two Governments in consultation from time to time.
Article IV
The islands shall be available for use as air ports for
international aviation and communications, but only
civil aviation companies incorporated in the United
States of America or in any part of the British
Commonwealth of Nations shall be permitted to use them
for the purpose of scheduled air services.
Article V
The use of any part of either of the islands for aviation
or any other purpose shall be the subject of agreement
between the two Governments.
Article VI
An air port may be constructed in Canton Island by
Pan-American Airways who, in return for an agreed fee,
shall provide facilities for British aircraft and
British civil aviation companies equal to those enjoyed
by United States aircraft and by Pan-American Airways.
In case of dispute as to fees, or the conditions of use
by British aircraft or by British civil aviation
companies, the matter shall be settled by arbitration.
Pan-American Airways shall pay a rent of . . . . . per
annum to each of the two Governments.
Article VII
The joint control hereby set up shall have a duration of
fifty years from this day’s date. If no agreement to the
contrary is reached before the expiry of that period the
joint control shall continue thereafter until such time
as it may be modified or terminated by the mutual
consent of the two Governments.
2. I have the honour to suggest that if an Agreement in the sense
of the foregoing Articles is acceptable to the Government of the
United Kingdom this Note and Your Excellency’s reply thereto in
similar terms shall be regarded as placing on record the
understanding arrived at between the two Governments concerning
this matter.