DEFENCE BASES

Grey River Argus, 1 March 1943, Page 5

DEFENCE BASES

IN THE PACIFIC

U.S.A, to Make Strong Chain

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] WASHINGTON, Feb. 26,

A powerful system of American defence bases will be established in the Pacific, said Mr C. Vinson, Chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee. A chain of naval and air strongholds would be built up in all vital strategic points to ensure peace and security in the Pacific for all time. "The United States has no territorial ambitions and will continue to respect British, Dutch, Chinese, and French sovereignty,” said Mr Vinson. “It may be a long and hard struggle to crush Japan, but if will be accomplished. When it is done the next job will be to ensure that the threat of aggression is removed. “In the Pacific there must be an efficient safeguard against a treacherous. sudden attack and the United States will need naval and air bases along the far-flung Pacific routes.” The whole plan is now in the exploratory stage, said Mr Vinson, but the construction of the bases should not be postponed until the end of the war. Congress should put before the Administration a definite programme so that the Administration can act. The recommendations could be implemented by formal agreements with the various nations concerned. The former Japanese strategic bases must never be returned to Japan, and other bases in the United Nations’ territories, whether free or temporarily occupied by the enemy, could either be acquired by the United States on leasehold, like those secured from Britain in the Caribbean Sea, or reserved for joint use in common defence measures.

“The Pacific is vital to America, and its safety is of immediate concern to us. If we want to keep it safe we must make our contribution to achieve this aim, and we will expect others to make theirs.” said Mr Vinson.