Page "Clipperton Island" Paragraph 15

Mexico reasserted its claim over Clipperton Island late in the 19th century, and on December 13, 1897, sent the gunboat La Democrata to occupy and annex it.

A colony was established, and a series of military governors were posted to Clipperton from that time, the last of whom would be Ramón Arnaud ( 1906 – 1916 ).

France insisted on its ownership of Clipperton, and a lengthy diplomatic correspondence between the two nations led to the conclusion of a treaty on March 2, 1909, to seek the arbitration of King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, with each nation promising to abide by that monarch's final determination.

His decision would not be rendered until 1931.