U.S. DEFENCE BASES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20452, 13 January 1941, Page 5

U.S. DEFENCE BASES

AGREEMENT ON SITES LEASES BY BkITAIN (Reed. Jan. 13, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 12. The Colonial Office announced that final agreement had been reached on sites for the United States naval, army and air force bases in Trinidad, comprising 11 square miles for a naval base on the north-west peninsula of the island, 18 miles in the centre of the island for the main army and air bases with a small area elsewhere for an auxiliary airfield, supply wharves, water supply and recreation facilities. The original United States proposals seemed to involve a disturbance of the normal life of the community and to put the naval base on a site which comprised access to the island’s chief holiday ground. The Trinidad Government suggested alternatives which the United States regretfully rejected. Therefore, Britain, with the full concurrence of the Trinidad Government, accepted the original proposals but pointed out it would involve sacrifices by the islanders. The United States readily gave an assurance to do their utmost to minimise disturbance to the community.

A Washington report says the Slate Department announced that the dispute over the United States naval base site on Trinidad has been settled and it has secured the site originally selected.

A party of United States legal experts is going to England shortly to draft the final leases for all the bases.