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September 24, 1946

Note: Only the Notes of September 19 and 24, 1946 are available. The rest, which provided for the details of the transfer could no longer be located. The formal transfer of the Turtle and Mangsee Islands to the Philippines was effected, June 20, 1948.

The exchange of notes were made pursuant to the provisions of the Treaty of Washington between the United Kingdom and the United States of January 2, 1932 and the Implementing notes of July 6, 1932.

Reference: This Agreement is also published In I DFA TS No.1, p. 53.

Manila, September 19, 1946

Sir:

By the Convention concluded between the President of the United States of America and His Britannic Majesty under date of January 2, 1930, and in an exchange of supplementary notes of the same date between the Secretary of State of the United States and the British Ambassador at Washington, His Britannic Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom acknowledged the following groups of island as comprised within the Philippine Archipelago:

1. Sibaung, Boaan, Lihiman, Langaan, Great Bakungaan, Taganak, and Baguan in the, group of islands known as the Turtle Islands;

2. The Mangsee Islands.

It was agreed in the exchange of notes that the British North Borneo Company be left undisturbed in the administration of these islands unless or until the United States Government gives notice to His Majesty's Government of its desire that the administration of the Islands should be transferred to it. The transfer of the administration shall be effected within one year after such notice is given on a day and in a manner to be mutually arranged.

Pursuant to the notes adverted to, I have the honor, by the present note, to give notice to your Government of the desire of my Government to take over the administration of the Turtle and the Mangsee groups of islands within the one-year period agreed upon from the date of this notification, and to request that you be so good as to transmit this notice to your Government and to acquaint me at the earliest opportunity with the wishes of your Government as to the day and the manner in which the transfer shall be effected.

Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my high consideration.

MR. F. S. TOMLINSON
British Charge d'Affaires a. i.
Manila

BRITISH LEGATION

MANILA

24th September, 1946

Your Excellency:

During the course of a conversation on the 1st of August, I undertook, at Your Excellency's request to ascertain the views of His Majesty's Government on the present status of the Turtle Islands.

I am now able to inform you that the exchange of notes attached to the Treaty of 1932 between the United Kingdom and the United States of America merely provided that the administration of the Turtle Islands should continue to be vested in the British North Borneo Company, subject to a year's notice should the United States Government wish to take over such administration.

Since, as a result of the Act of Independence, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines has succeeded to the rights and obligations of the United States under the Notes of 1932, it will be for the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to give the required notice provided for in them.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurance of my highest consideration.

(Sgd.) F. S. TOMLINSON
Charge d' Affaires