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Show TITLE TO PALMYRA IN DISPUTE Rumored That Great Britain Intends to Take Possession of Islets Discovered by Americans. Washington. Rumors that Great Britain intended to take possession of Palmyra island, in reality a group of fifty islets lying about 600 miles southwest south-west of Hawaii, and almost in a direct line between Australia and the Panama canal, resulted in the subject being a matter of inquiry unofficially at the state department. Officials professed ignorance of any issue being raised as to the ownership of the island, but admitted the title was vague. Palmyra island was discovered in 1852 ty n American shipmaster, who proclaimed it part of the kingdom of Hawaii in 1882, and it was annexed by Great Britain in 1S89. The question at issue is whether the British annexation annexa-tion canceled the prior Hawaiian title, for if it did not then Palmyra island probably would be held to have been annexed to the United States in 189S. |