BRITAIN AND AMERICA

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 7

BRITAIN AND AMERICA

DESTROYERS FOR BASES NEGOTIATIONS PROCEEDING (United Press Assn,—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 17, 11.10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, August 16 President Roosevelt, at a press conference, stated: “The United States Government is holding conversations with the British Empire regarding the acquisition of naval and air bases for the defence of the Western Hemisphere and especially the Panama Canal. The United States Government is carrying on conversations with the Canadian Government on the defence of the Western Hemisphere.” Mr Roosevelt explained that the negotiations with Canada were separate from those with London. He cautioned reporters repeatedly not to tie up his statement with speculation on the release of United Statqs destroyers to Britain. He said the negotiations for bases were not related to the question of selling 50 destroyers to Britain, although negotiations were on a quid pro quo basis. Mr Roosevelt refused to elucidate further. He cautioned reporters not to make assumptions, but before the conference it was widely speculated that the United States would acquire bases in the Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad and other island strategically important for Panama. Mr Roosevelt clearly indicated that he was personally supervising the negotiations. He steadfastly refused to permit the destroyer question to be drawn into the discussion, simply saying that the destroyers were not involved in the present negotiations. He declined to express an opinion on the legality of the sale or transfer of destroyers to Britain. Observers In Britain Mr Roosevelt said the United States Army and Navy have high officers in Britain, at the invitation of the British Government, acting as observers of hostilities. The Army’s observers are MajorGeneral Delos Emmons, CommanderGeneral of the Headquarters of the Air Force, and Brigadier-General George B. Strong, assistant Chief of Stall in charge of the War Plans Division.

The naval observer is Admiral Ghormley Joplin.