CANADA AND AMERICA

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21195, 19 August 1940, Page 8

CANADA AND AMERICA

MR ROOSEVELT'S PLEDGE CONFERENCE WITH PREMIER SPECIFIC COURSE OF ACTION < United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copy rig-lit) WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 It was announced from Montreal that President Roosevelt was en route by train to Ogdenburg (on the right bank of the St. Lawrence River opposite Prescott, Ontario) to confer with the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr W. L. Mackenzie King. It was assumed that the conference would deal with negotiations between Britain and the United States regarding the acquisition of naval and air bases. A later message said Mr Roosevelt and Mr Mackenzie King had concluded their conference. No communique was issued. Mr Mackenzie King will be Mr Roosevelt’s guest at dinner on board the special train, on which he will pass the night, and also will attend military religious services with Mr Roosevelt on Sunday. Preparatory to his meeting with Mr Mackenzie King, President Roosevelt renewed his pledge that the United States would defend Canada against overseas aggression. He forecast that the conference would develop a specific course of action for collaboration between Canada and the United States. Protection for Panama The President said: “The United States Government is holding conversations with the British Empire regarding the acquistion 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.” He explained that the negotiations with Canada were separate from those with Britain.

Mr Mackenzie King made a statement similar to that of President Roosevelt, adding that the nature of the conversations prevented an indication of their extent or an elaboration of Mr Roosevelt’s announcement.