(A 6980/21/45). FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.I.
20th October, 1939
Dear Acheson,
I am sorry to have been so long in replying to
your letter to Balfour No. 86410/39 of the loth October,
about the proposal to establish a post office in Canton
Island.
We are advised that while the Anglo-American exchange
of notes of the 6th April leaves the question of the
administration of Canton and Enderbury islands very much in
the air, the manner in which the two officials mentioned
therein are to exercise the powers of administration, and
the special joint ad hoc regime to be set up, are to be
determined (under Articles 2 and 3 of the exchange of notes)
by the two Governments in consultation.     This being so, it
seems to us that it is out of the question for us to claim
the right to set up a post office without previous
consultation with the United states Government;   this, indeed,
seems to be precisely one of the things which it was intended
should be settled in that way.     It does not appear that
consultation would necessarily involve the establishment of
a joint post office, but even if it did this would afford
in our view no reason for not consulting the Americans if
it was the intention of the exchange of notes of the 6th
April that we should do so in such a matter.
Will you let us know whether you would like us to
instruct Lord Lothian accordingly?
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) J.V. PEROWNK.
A.B. Acheson, Esq.,
Colonial Office.