American interests. There are a number of practical concerns that have strategic consequences: the many Americans living or visiting in the Caribbean; American investments; the supplies of important materials, such as bauxite for aluminum, manganese, etc.; products such as bananas, certain varieties of coffee, etc.; and the heavy flow of trade and vessels through the Panama Canal. These considerations establish a priority strategic requirement for the United States to protect the Caribbean basin in peace or war. The geography and climate of the Caribbean also increase the military importance of the area to the United States. The Caribbean area provides the most expeditious access from the United States to South America; continuation of air routes and bases in the Caribbean is important to facilitate American mobility if the South American nations should require assistance in dealing with internal or external aggression. The warm climate of the Caribbean makes ready access to it highly useful for training, maintenance, and research by American military forces. The military facilities in the Caribbean are thus important in many ways for maintaining effective American military forces. The growing attraction of Americans to the Caribbean lands is adding another dimension to the interests of the United States in the area. To many Americans, "the Caribbean" probably conjures up visions of sunshine, sandy beaches, sparkling waters, balmy evenings, and the other joys of indolent tourism. Anyone who watches the television commercials is well aware of the lures of tourism and warm weather residence in the Caribbean. Not