The Cook Islands, which become a territory…

The Cook Islands, which become a territory of the United Kingdom on October 9, 1900, have been aligned with the United Kingdom since 1890, largely because of the fear of British residents that France might occupy the islands as it already had Tahiti.

On September 6, 1900, the islanders' leaders had presented a petition asking that the islands (including Niue "if possible") should be annexed as British territory.

On October 8 and 9, 1900, seven instruments of cession of Rarotonga and other islands are signed by their chiefs and people.

A British Proclamation is issued, stating that the cessions are accepted and the islands declared parts of Her Britannic Majesty's dominions.

However, it does not include Aitutaki.

Even though the inhabitants regard themselves as British subjects, the Crown's title is unclear until the island is formally annexed by this Proclamation.