MILITARY BASES FOR U.S.

Southland Times, Issue 24332, 13 January 1941, Page 5

MILITARY BASES FOR U.S.

TRINIDAD DISPUTE SETTLED AGREEMENT ON SITES ANNOUNCED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received January 12, 11 p.m.) LONDON, January 11. The Colonial Office announced that a final agreement has been reached on the sites for United States naval, army, and air force bases in Trinidad, comprising 11 square miles for the naval base on islands northwest of the peninsula, 18 square 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, wafer supply and recreation facilities. The original United States’ proposals seemed to involve the disturbance of the normal life of the community, and put the naval base on a site which comprised access to the island’s chief holiday ground. The Trinidad Government suggested an alternative, which the United States regretfully rejected. Therefore, Britain, with the full concurrence of the Trinidad Government, accepted the original proposals, but pointed out that they involve sacrifices by the islanders. The United States readily gave an assurance to do its utmost to minimise disturbance to the community. A Washington message states that United States legal experts are going to England shortly to draft final leases for all bases.