Washington, Mar. 8.
Reluctance of State Department Officials to discuss American occupation of the strategic Canton and Enderbury Islands near the Japanese mandated islands in the south Pacific was regarded here to-day as an indication that the United States might be planning claims to additional islands in the south Pacific as well as vast areas in the Arctic and Antarctic, Officials here regard current negotiations with Britain regarding title to Canton and Enderbury islands as significant because they are likely to set a precedent for the settlement of sovereignty questions in a number of other Pacific islands and the frozen areas around the north and south poles.
Although Britain and the United States have exchanged information in a friendly manner thus far, there were indications to-day that a strong conflict of interests might arise, particularly if the sovereignty issue Spreads quickly to other territories. Rumours here said a Note explaining the British position was expected by Washington soon, It was believed the British Note would crystallize the issue,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.