Evening star., 1928-10-21
FALKLANDS FIGHT
MAY INVOLVE U.s.
Britain and Argentina Disput-
ing Ownership of Islands
OH Latter Country.
Fly FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Late news from Argentina conjures
cD the prospect II an interesting three
ccrnered International incident which,
before it is finally adjudicated, may in
,cive the Monroe Doctrine and the Kel-
lce2 anti-war pact. The parties con-
ccrned are Argentina. Great Britain
End the United States. The bone Of
ontention-confined at present to the
Argcntinians ana the British-iS the
group of islands near the tip of South
America, known as the Falklands.
1t was off the Falkland Islands that
the great naval battle between British
fnd German Squadrons was fought carly
in the World War. resulting in the de-
struction of the German force by an
overwhelming British fleet Previously
the doomed Germans. under Admiral
Count Won Spec, had sunk British
cruiser squadron off Coroncl. Chile.
commanded by Admiral Sir Christopher
Cradock
The Falkland Islands since 1888 have
been in British possession. but the Ar
gentinian government has never relin-
cuished its claim to them. There has
lust been published the diplomatic cor
respondence which took place 2 year
ago between the London and Buenos
Aires foreign offices.
Great Britain had renewed its efforts
. induce Argentina to renounce any
Grht or interest in the Falklands and
some adjacent islands. But the Argen-
tinian government now discloses that it
continues to insist that the islands in
question are Argentinian property, &C.
suite the fact that the Union Jack he's
foated over them since 1888 and st1ll
does.
The map reveals at a glance why
Argentina objects to foreign occupa-
ton of territory which commands
Strategic control over the Southern
Argentinian coast. The pending con-
troversy with Great Britain. apart from
its ancient origin, concerns a wireless
station in the South Orkneys, which
are part of the Falkland group lying
southeast of Cape. Horn. Argentina
erected this station over British pro-
tests.
Mans show that the South Orkneys
as we'll as the adjacent island Of South
Georgia. are British territory, but the
Argentinians have meteorological sta
tions there and administer the islands
In area they are unimportant, but in
an emergency would have great Strate-
gic value. particularly If a powerful
wireless station were functioning at
that point.
Kellogg Pact Mentioned.
Argentina happens to be one of the
nix Latin American Republics which
have not yet adhered to the Kellogg
anti-var treaty. Leading Buenos
Aires newspapers are categorically
limiting that Argentina should not sign
the pact until it is clear that in so
doing she does not also subscribe to the
Monroe Doctrine. Few Americans are
aware that the Falkland Islands. over
which Argentina and Great Britain are
now at loggerheads, figure in one of
the few cases in which the United
States, in disregard of the Monroe
Doctrine. sided with a European power
e ainst the Latin American republic
which was involved.
The British flag was hoisted over the
Falkland Islands in 1888, after they
had been ceded to Great Britain by
Spain. Argentina. having declared her
independence of Spain laid claim TO
the Falklands and sought the support
of the United States against the British
occupation of the islands. Although the
Monroe Doctrine had been proclaimed
only 10 years previously. our Govern
ment took the position that actual occu-
patton of the Falklands by the British
took place under "a claim of title pre-
viously asserted and maintained by that
government"
Washington added: 1T is not seen
that the Monroe Doctrine, which has
been invoked on the part Of the Argen-
tine Republic. has any application to
the case BY the terms in which that
principle of international conduct was
announced, it was expressly excluded
from retroactive operation" In 1886
the question was again taken up in