FACTS STATED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 July 1941, Page 5

FACTS STATED

BASES IN NORTHERN IRELAND BEING BUILT FOR BRITAIN. EMPLOYMENT OF AMERICANS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, July 12. The Secretary of the Navy. Colonel Knox, is reported to have told a secret meeting of the Naval Affairs Committee of the Senate that American firms are building bases in Northern Ireland and Scotland, but that they are building them for Britain at Britain’s expense and that they are not intended for the use of American troops. The- assertion that hundreds of American workmen have been constructing a naval base in Northern Ireland for weeks was made in the Senate by Senator John Danaher (Republican, Connecticut), who accused President Roosevelt and the Administration oi withholding the facts. Senator Robert Taft (Republican Ohio) said that he heard weeks ago that such a base was being constructed. Administration officials neither confirm nor deny the truth of these statements. It is authoritatively stated in London that any American technicians or labourers employed on works in Northern Ireland are direct employees of the British Government. They have exercised their legal right to accept such an occupation, which is open to any American citizen wishing to aid the British cause.