Anguilla Roars

Britain yesterday gave the Caribbean island of Anguilla 48 hours to rescind its declaration of independence or face invasion.

Anguilla, an island of 6000 inhabitants, announced its independence from the British-created state of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla in July, 1967. In January Anguilla reaffirmed its independence and adopted a constitution similar to that of the United States.

British envoy Charley Whitlock flew to the island March 11 and was expelled he said, at gunpoint. Whitlock charged that Anguilla was "completely dominated by a gangster-type element ... somehow like the Mafia."

Roger D. Fisher '42, professor of Law, who has served as legal adviser to Anguilla's government for the past 18 months, said last night that "once Britain concedes that she will not force Anguilla back under St. Kitts, things should be relatively easy." He said there is evidence that an American, Jack N. Holcomb, and several others "are exerting enormous influence" over Ronald Webster, Anguilla's president, but added that there was no proof of any link with the Mafia.