Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Far East and Australasia, Volume VI

811.34590/11–1648

Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. J. Harold Shullaw of the Division of British Commonwealth Affairs

top secret

[Washington,] November 16, 1948.

Participants:	Mr. Dennis Allen, Counselor of the British Embassy
	Mr. Satterthwaite, BC
	Mr. Wailes, BC
	Mr. Shullaw, BC

On November 16, 1948 Mr. Dennis Allen, Counselor of the British Embassy, called on Mr. Satterthwaite and was handed an informal statement concerning the proposals which Sir John Balfour and Mr. Robert Cecil had made in an informal conversation with Mr. Hickerson and Mr. Wailes on April 6 [7], 1948,¹ concerning the question of disputed islands in the Pacific. A copy of this statement is attached.

After Mr. Allen had read the statement, Mr. Wailes said that he wished to add a few remarks. He stated that it was still the hope of the United States Government that the British Government would be able to consider favorably the proposals originally made by Mr. Hickerson in April, 1947, in which a division of the disputed islands between the two countries was suggested. Mr. Wailes indicated that these suggestions were not being pressed at the present time, but that he was merely reiterating the United States position.

[Enclosure]

During an informal conversation with Mr. Hickerson and Mr. Wailes on April 6 [7], 1948, Sir John Balfour and Mr. Robert Cecil referred to certain suggestions which Mr. Hickerson had made in April, 1947 with respect to a possible means of settling outstanding claims relating to disputed islands in the Pacific, and indicated that the British Government did not concur in the idea of dividing up the islands between the United States and the United Kingdom. Sir John’s counter-proposals, together with the Department’s views thereon, are covered in the following four paragraphs:

1. Christmas Island. Sir John suggested that the United States be granted a 99-year lease of the area on which the United States Base was located, and of a small surrounding strip of land for the purpose of subsequent development of the Base. The appropriate United States authorities feel that while Christmas Island is of strategic importance to the United States, the re-establishment of a Base on the Island is not a matter of urgency at the present time. United States Armed Forces personnel stationed on Christmas were withdrawn on October 15, 1948; such withdrawal is, of course, without prejudice to United States claims to the island.

2. Canton Island. It was suggested that the 50-year condominium be extended to 99 years with the area of the existing U.S. Base specified by agreement in such a way as not to affect British Commonwealth air interests or the United Kingdom’s plans for the allocation of the remaining part of the Island for planting crops et cetera, and for the development of native quarters. The Department feels that as the condominium agreement has approximately 40 years still to run, no decision need be reached at the present time with respect to extending it. Minor problems which have arisen concerning the Civil Air Base at Canton are, it is believed, being satisfactorily settled and the more complicated question of working out the details of a joint administration for Canton and Enderbury Islands is now under discussion between the two Governments.

3. Tarawa Island. Sir John Balfour was kind enough to indicate that, irrespective of the other counter-proposals which he put forward, the British Government was prepared to offer to the United States Government a grant of land in Tarawa for the establishment of a memorial and cemetery for the United States Marines. The Department greatly appreciates this thoughtful offer and, after consideration by the appropriate military authorities, accepts with sincere appreciation a small plot of land suitable for a monument. No cemetery is planned for Tarawa. When the American Battle Monuments Commission’s plans are more definitive the subject will be reopened for determination of the exact area and location of the site.

4. Regional Arrangement for the Defense of the Southwest Pacific The Department will of course be glad to consider at some appropriate time in the future any proposals which the British Government may wish to make on this subject. In the absence of any threat to the Southwest Pacific, it is felt that Western Union and other more urgent regional arrangements should be dealt with first.

1. A memorandum by Mr. Arthur L. Richards of the Division of British Commonwealth Affairs, dated April 7, 1948, summarized this conversation of April 7 between Sir John Balfour, British Minister at Washington, and John D. Hickerson, Director of the Office of European Affairs; not printed.