MUTUAL DEFENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21209, 4 September 1940, Page 7

MUTUAL DEFENCE

EXCHANGE OF NOTES FRIENDSHIP OF NATIONS BRITAIN AND AMERICA (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 4, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 3 The announcement of the successful conclusion of the agreement between Britain and the United States regarding the lease of air and naval bases in British trans-Atlantic territories and the transfer to Britain of 50 United States Navy destroyers is warmly welcomed here, and representing a practical method whereby each country is able to contribute materially and effectively to the defence requirements of the other.

The agreement was announced here in a Command paper containing an exchange of notes dated September 2 between the Marquess of Lothian Qnd Mr Cordell Hull. In his note the Marquess of Lothian says:—

“ In view of the bases of friendship and sympathetic interest of the British Government in the national security of the United States and its desire to strengthen the ability of the United States to cooperate effectively with other nations of the Americas in the defence of the Western Hemisphere the British Government will secure and grant to the Government of the United States, freely and without consideration, leases for the immediate establishment and use of naval and air bases and facilities for entrance thereto and the operation and protection thereof on the Avalon Peninsula and on the southern coast of Newfoundland and on the east coast and on the great Bay of Bermuda.

“Furthermore, in view of the above and in view of the desire of the United States to acquire additional air and naval bases in the Caribbean and British Guiana, and without endeavouring to place monetary or commercial value upon the many tangible and intangible rights of the properties involved, the British Government will make available to the United States for immediate establishment and use of naval and air bases, and facilities for entrance thereto and the operation and protection thereof on the eastern side of the Bahamas, the southern coast of Jamaica, the west coast of Saint Lucia, the west coast of Trinidad, in the Gulf of Paria, in the Island of Antigua, in British Guiana, within 50 miles of Georgetown, in exchange for naval and military equipment and material which the United States will transfer to the British Government. Lease for 99 Years “All the bases and facilities referred to in the preceding paragraphs will be leased to the United States for 99 years, free of all rent and charges, other than such compensation to be mutually agreed on to be paid by the United States in order to compensate the owners of private property for loss by appropriation or damage arising out of the establishment of the bases and facilities in question.

“ Britain in the leases to be agreed upon will grant to the United States for the period of the leases all rights, power and authority within the bases leased, and within the limits of the territorial waters and air spaces adjacent or in the vicinity of such bases necessary to provide access to and the defence of such bases, and appropriate provisions for their control. Without prejudice to the abovementioned rights of the United States authorities and their jurisdiction within the leased areas an adjustment and reconciliation between the jurisdiction of the authorities of the territories in which those areas are situated shall be determined by common agreement.

“ The exact location and bounds of the aforesaid bases, the necessary seaward coast and antiaircraft defences, and the location of sufficient military garrisons, stores and other necessary auxiliary facilities, shall be determined by common agreement.

“ Britain is prepared to designate immediately experts to meet United States experts for Uiese purposes Should these experts be unable to agree in any particular situation, except in the case of Newfoundland and Bermuda, the matter shall be settled by the Secretary of States of the United States and the British Secretary of Foreign Affairs.” The American Reply Mr Cordell Hull, in reply, states: “ The Government of the United States, appreciates the declarations and generous action of the British Government as contained in your communications, which are destined to enhance the national security of the United States and greatly strengthen its ability to co-operate effectively with other nations of the Americas in the defence of the Western Hemisphere. It therefore gladly accepts the proposals. “ The Government of the United States will immediately designate experts to meet British experts to determine upon the exact location of the naval and air bases mentioned in your communication under acknowledgement.

“ In consideration of the declarations above quoted, the Government of the United States will immediately transfer to the British Government 50 United States destroyers, generally referred to as the 1200-ton type.”