Copy. i>A 4938/9/45) (2) Colonial Office, SECRET. Downing Street. 86059/40 20th November, 1940. Sir, With reference to telegram No. 2393 of the 28th September from the Foreign Office to His Majesty's Ambassador in Washington, and connected correspondence on the subject of the claim of the United States Government to 23 Islands in the Pacific, I am directed by Lord Lloyd to forward for the information of Viscount Halifax a copy of a report which has been received from the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific on the question of British sovereignty in the Phoenix and Line Islands. This report, together with that enclosed with Mr. Achescn's semi-official letter No.86059/40 part II of the 30th July, completes the documentation which the High Commissioner was requested to prepare in respect of the claimed Islands under his administration. Lord Lloyd proposes that steps should now be taken in this Department to co-ordinate the available material and to prepare statements of the British case for all of the Islands for which the Colonial Office is responsible. 2. It is noted that in the telegram under reference His Majesty's Ambassador in Washington has been requested to emphasise that "His Majesty's Government feel entitled to request that the United States Government should at least definitely specify all the Islands to which they purport to have claims". I am to say that Lord Lloyd is fuily in accord with this view, and trusts that His Majesty's Ambassador will be instructed to press strongly for a complete andfinal list of the claims which the United States Government proposes to make. /3. The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. 3. It is understood that no mention has yet been made of the venue of the meeting which will "be necessary to discuss with representatives of the United States Government their claim to these Islands. Lord Lloyd is firmly of the opinion that the discussions should take place in this country- He trusts that Lord Halifax will agree and that a suitable opportunity will be taken to acquaint the United States Government in this sense. 4. Copies of this letter, together with its enclosure, are being addressed to the Admiralty, the Air Ministry, the Dominions Office, the Treasury and the Secretary to the War Cabinet. I em. etc., (Signed) R.A. Whittle