The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-07-30
BY RIGHT OF DISCOVERY
PALMYRA ISLAND BELONGS TO
THE UNITED STATES.
Senator Morgan Does Not Think it
Makes Much Difference Who
Claims it or Owns It.

New York, July pa special to the
Herald from Washington says: In sup
Port of their claim to Palmyra island.
which has been taken possession of
by the British government, the London
authorities refer to the fact that the
British flag was hoisted over this ter
ritory in 1889. Even if the official rec
crds of the Hawaiian government fail
to show the title of the Dole regime to
the island, the United States is in a po-
sitlon TO raise the claim that the island
belongs to this government, by virtue
OF discovery by an American citizen.
This fact is recognized 10y the British
authorities in an official publication.
which contains a reference to its dis
covery, and the action of the British
in placing their flag over it. The pub
LEGATION in question is the official direc-
tons OF the photographic Office of
Great Britain, issued by the admiralty
In regard TO the Palmyra island, the
volume states:
Palmyra was discovered by Captain
Sawle, of the American ship Palmyra,
in 1902, and was formally annexed to
Great Britain by Commander Nichols
in her majesty's ship Cormorant, on
May is, 1889. There were no inhabit-
ants on the island at the time of its
annexation, although Messrs. Hender-
son and McFarlane of New Zealand
contemplated cultivating it,
A high official of the state depart
ment said last night that an inveSti-
cation regarding the rights of Hawaii
and Great Britain to Palmyra island
would be made.
SKERRITT'S REPORT.
A long report on Palmyra island was
made in 1874 by Commander J. G.
Skerritt, who recently died in this city.
At the time Commander Skerritt was in
command of the United States ship
Portsmouth, which was directed to
make a survey of the islands of the Pa
cific. He describes Palmyra as being
made up CT about 60 small isles. sur
rounded by coral reef. upon which
as many as 5000 cocoanut trees are
growing. The lagoons between the
islands were rapidly filling up as a re-
suit of coral formations, and ultimately
it is expected the island will be level
plateau. elevated about six feet above
the level Of the sea
Senator Morgan of Alabama said that
he had not examined into the question
of the validity of the Hawaiian title to
Palmyra island, and was not prepared
to express an opinion on the subject,
though he was inclined to think it
was a matter of comparatively small
Importance to the United States
whether Great Britain had the island
or not. on account of its distance from
the United States and Hawaii
IF Great Britain has occupied that
island" he said, 1T is because she has
use for it. 1t is but another step in
her policy of surrounding this country
with military stations. This govern
ment should carefully investigate the
question as to the right of the Hawaii
an government to claim jurisdiction
over the island, and if that claim is
well founded, the proper course would
be, after this government has acquired
title to the Hawaiian islands. to call
upon Great Britain for an explanation
of her action in occupying Hawaiian
territory"
The action of Great Britain in taking
possession Of Palmyra. island at this
time is generally regarded here as
steD in her jubilee year policy of
her military lines. An
other step in this policy has just been
brought to the attention OF the state
department in a report from Consul
Miller at Port Stanley, Falkland isles.
who reports that surveys are now in
progress at that point under the direc-
ton of Colonel Lewis of the royal en-
gineers, for the establishment of
naval station and hospital. Such sta
ION at this point, with repair shops and
would be of the utmost
inportanl-e to a British feet operating
IN the southern Pacific.