812.79600/1–2245: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Caffery)

437. Your 304, January 22. Please address note in following form to Bidault.

Pursuant to instructions from my Government, I have the honor to refer to the note which you handed to me on the afternoon of January 22, 194529 on the subject of the security measures taken by the United States Navy on Clipperton Island. It is hoped that the following observations will help to correct any misunderstanding which may have arisen in the minds of the French authorities concerning the scope and purpose of the measures taken by the American Naval authorities.

In December 1944, an increase in the Japanese operations in the waters of the Western Sea Frontier suggested the desirability of of establishing a weather reporting station and armed observation party on Clipperton Island. In as much as this was regarded as a purely military matter and since the island was uninhabited, the necessary action was taken by the United States Navy without prior consultation with any civilian agency of my Government. Information regarding the matter was, however, conveyed in great confidence by the Navy Department to the Chief of the French Naval Mission in Washington.

As a natural precaution, the United States Navy took the position that no one should visit Clipperton Island without obtaining the consent of the Commander, Western Sea Frontier. This order, which remains in effect, is necessary for reasons of military security and for the purpose of avoiding any incident which might arise through mistaken identity. In view of the military situation, the American Naval authorities are unwilling to have civilians approach or land on the island and it was for this reason that permission could not be granted for the visit of the vessel which was chartered by the French authorities in Mexico for a shark fishing expedition. The Chief of the French Naval Mission has been informed, however, that the Navy Department will be happy to furnish transportation for a French officer, designated by the Naval Mission in Washington, for a visit to Clipperton Island. If this offer is accepted, the French officer will be afforded every opportunity to familiarize himself fully with the measures taken by the United States Navy.

The steps to which I have referred have at all times been regarded by the authorities of my Government as having an emergency character and as being based solely on military considerations. They have no bearing whatever on the question of sovereignty over Clipperton Island.

[Page 792]

It is hoped that the above statement will serve to place this entire question in its proper perspective.

Grew
  1. See telegram 304, January 22, 8 p.m. from Paris, p. 788.