h
GENERAL SUMMARY,
Memorandum A deals with Holland, Baker and
Jarvis islands.   The only points outstanding appear to
be -
(1) whether a demarche is to be made to the United
States Government concerning the American
annexation of Baker, Howland and Jarvis
islands.
(2) whether Howland and Baker/are to be deleted
from the list of British'Thoenix islands"
in the Colonial Office list.
Memorandum B deals with other islands in the
Pacific which have been mentioned as likely sites for
air bases, and in particular with those over which the
British claim to sovereignty is weak or is thought to be
in danger of dispute by other Powers.
Pending a decision on the Canada to New Zealand
and other air routes, it is necessary to decide whether
any action should be taken to vindicate the British claim
to sovereignty over those islands which are thought likely
to be of service.   The Commodore commanding New Zealand
Station, after studying the reports of H.M. Ships^j^sa
"Leith", "Wellington" and "Achilles", gave his opinion as
follows:-
(a)
O
(a)   that probably for some years to come Honolulu
will be an essential port of call for an air service
between Canada and New Zealand.
(b) that Fiji being the most important group of
islands^both commercially and strategical^between
Honolulu and New Zealand, any British air line should call
near Suva.
(c) that between Honolulu and Fiji probably two
refuelling bases would be required - one in the area of
the Phoenix sxf Union groups and one in the Kingman Reef
to Christmas Island area.   In the former area there
appeared to him to be two possibilities - Hull island
(Phoenix group) or Nukunono in the Union group.   In the
latter area either Christmas Island or Kingman Reef appeari
suitable, but Christmas .Island is British and may be even
better than Kingman Reef because buildings can be erected
ashore, whereas a depot ship would be required at Kingman
Reef.
(d)     that the best route from New Zealand to
Honolulu would be via Suva, Hull or Nukunono, Christmas
Jsland or Kingman Reef.
7lu &j/<u \
The following points arise:-
i)   As regards Christmas Island, whether anything
is to be said to the United States Government
on the subject of the reports to the effect
that America does not recognise British
sovereignty over the island.
(ii)
(ii)   Ae regards the Phoenix group, i there- ic the
question* whether the group^ or the six leased
islands should be included within the
boundaries of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands
Colony by Order in Council under the Colonial
Boundaries Act.    (The question of settling
Gilbertese on Sydney or Hull is a side issue.)
It does not seem that any action can usefully
be taken in regard to the scattered islands west of the
French Marquesas islands.   As regards Pitcairn and its
"dependencies", the Administrative Officer's report can be
awaited.