DEFENCE ACCORD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 September 1940, Page 5

DEFENCE ACCORD

BRITAIN & THE UNITED STATES APPROVED BY REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE. BUT PROCEDURE CRITICISED. (By Telegraph—Presfe Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, September 4. The Republican presidential candidate, Mr Wendell Willkie, gives general approval to the transfer of the destroyers to Britain, but criticises the way in which the deal was carried out. He said: “The country will undoubetdly approve the new bases and the assistance to Britain, but it is regrettable that the President has not deemed B necessary to secure the approval of Congress beforehand. Congressional iolationists allege that the transfer is an act of war. President Roosevelt announced the location of bases as follows:—Newfoundland, on the south shore, which includes the Avalon Peninsula, on which St Johns is located: Bermuda, east coast; Bahamas, eastern side, near Crooked Island; Passaq; Jamaica, south shore (the British base is on the south shore at Kingston); St Lucia, western shore; Trinidad, Gulf of Paria; Antigua (only harbour); British Guiana, 50 miles from Georgetown. The U.S. Navy Department announced that Admiral Stark, Chief of Naval Operations, certified that the destroyers were not essential for the defence of the United States. The American Under-Secretary for the Navy, Mr Forrestal, announced that a first group, consisting of eight destroyers, at present at Boston, will be ready for Britain on Friday. They will be sailed to Canada by American crews, and there be taken over by British crews.

It is understood the destroyers will be turned over fully armed and equipped, and ready for action. Mr Forrestal announced that a board of army and navy experts is leaving today for Bermuda to examine sites for American naval and air bases.