Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-19

Navy 10 Rush Work
On Bases Acquired
From Britain
Agreement on Sites to
Be Leased by U. S. Is
Announced Formally
Byift Associated Press.

BY II I Associated Press.
The Navy plans to rush construc-
ton, informed persons said today,
on a 100000, 900 chain of bases for
the sites acquired from Britain in
the Western Hemisphere.
There also were indications that
United States naval tenders might
move into some of the newly &C
quired anchorages Immediately and
provide temporary base facilities for
American submarines and seaplanes
guarding the Atlantic and Caribbean
approaches to the vital Panama
Canal area.
The way to a general start of
construction and partial occupancy
of some bases appeared cleared by
the Nays formal announcement
last night that all the British au-
thorities concerned had agreed on
sites to be leased by this Govern
ment in Bermuda. the Bahamas,
Jamaica. Antigua. ST. Lucia, British
Guiana and Newfoundland
Only at Trinidad. the southern
anchor" Of the chain. were arrange
ments still incomplete. The Navy
said consultations were continuing
on the exact facilities to be granted
this country on that British island
possession off the northeast coast of
South America
Six Obtained in Ship Deal.
The base rights in both New
foundland and Bermuda were given
to the United States by Great Brit
ain without compensation. The 9TH
er six sites, unoer a 99-year lease,
were obtained in the historic in
ternational swap" involving so
American destrovers.
American surveying parties al
ready are at work in Newfound-
land, northern anchor of the
new chain, where major defense
post is planned, including an air
base and Army training ground. a
naval base with 1850 feet of wharf
age and site of approximately
100 acres for an Army defensive
force.
These facilities at Newfoundland
off the coast of Canada, would put
the flank of any enemy fleet which
attempted TO attack this country
from the North Atlantic without
first reducing that stronghold.
Another disclosure made IN last
nights announcement was that
II Of II,,j -
States and Great Britain would
have joint use of alrfelds estab-
lisned by both governments on Tie
island of Jamaica. south of Cuba
The statement said this use would
be within the limits of capacity
and that the controlling authori-
ties would have the first call On
the available accommodation.
Joint Usage Agreed On.
This Government also was granted
the right to develop resources and
facilities for the Port Royal Dock
yard at Jamaica under British con-
troll for the joint use of United States
and British forces
Navy spokesman declined to elabo-
rate on the arrangement for joint
usage.
The Nays announcement indi-
Gated that the most powerful Amer
lean bases were planned at New
foundland and at Bermuda. famous
tourist resort in the Atlantic some
697 miles southeast of New York.
Sites agreed on at Bermuda. it
vas said, included an area for a
land plane base, a seaplane base,
naval base and garrison area, and
storage for explosives on small
islands between St Davis Island and
Hamilton Island along the eastern
entrance to Castle Harbor.
No Detailed Figures.
In well informed circles it was
predicted that President Roosevelt
would make funds for construction
available Immediately from the
5000 10000 emergency defense
money placed at his disposal by Con-
gress months ago
Navy officials declined to make
public any detailed figures on con-
templated expenditures Outlays for
bases elsewhere indicated, however.
that 1t would take an average Of
about $500 900 each to equip the
bases with necessary docks, minor
repair yards. gasoline and oil storage,
buoyage and other facilities.
This outlay, it was estimated.
would not include anti-aircraft and
coast artillery to be installed by the
Army, OF other Notifications. The
British are understood to have con-
siderable protection in that line at
Jamaica and some at Bermuda,
where Royal Navy dockyard is
located.