Evening star., 1940-09-03

LlleIS peIoilslIlS tO It's duAillary
navy.
Mr.. jackson advised the President
that he had authority to conclude
the arrangement for acquiring the
naval and air bases and transferring
destroyers to Great Britain as an
executive agreement effective
without awaiting ratification"
The Attorney General said there
Is presidential power to transfer the
destroyers on eertification by zap
propriate Stan Officers" ss@s >
Mr.. Jackson held that dispatch Of
so-called mosquito boats" now
under construction for the Navy to
the British would constitute viola
ton Of the statute law of the United
States" but this would not be true
with respect to the overage destroy
ers," since they were clearly not
built, armed or equipped with any
such intent (to enter the service of
q belligerent) or with reasonable
cause to believe that they would ever
enter the service of a belligerent."
A reference by Mr.. Jackson to
"the' applicable provisions of the
Neutrality Act as to delivery" was
taken to mean that the British
themselves would have to navigate
the boats across the Atlantic.
The transaction was handled as
an executive agreement to avoid
"the inevitable delays which would
accompany the conclusion of for
NAL treaty." Mr.. Jackson's memo
randum made clear. BY this pro-
cedure, Mr.. Roosevelt merely trans
n1itted to Congress for its informa-
ton the notes exchanged between
Secretary Hull and Lord Lothian.
Dated yesterday, the notes consti-
tute an agreement already in effect,
with no congressional action nec-
essary.
Pointing out that when the Louis
lana Purchase was concluded CON
alterations of safety from overseas
attack were fundamental" the Pres
ident declared that preparation for
defense is an inahenable preroga-
tive Of a sovereign State"
He added that under present cir
cumstances the exercise of this SOW
ereign right 'is essential to the
maintenance of our peace and
safety"
While exact location of the naval
and air bases acquired by the United
States await the negotiations men,
toned between experts. note from
Lord Lothian which the President
sent to Congress specified the loca-
tions in general way.
Great Britain agreed to secure
the grant" to the United States
without consideration "of the lease
for immediate establishment and use
Of naval and air bases and facilities
for entrance thereto and the opera
ton and protection thereof, on the
Avalon Peninsula and on the south
ern coast of Newfoundland, and on
the east coast and on the Great Bay
Of Bermuda"
Apparently two bases would be
established in each of these British
possessions.
In consideration of the SO de-
stroyers, the British also agreed to
lease similar naval and air base
facilities "on the eastern side of the
Bahamas, the southern coast of
Jamaica. the western coast of st.
Lucia, the west coast of Trinidad,
In the gulf of Paria, in the island
Of Antigua and in British Guiana
within so miles Of Georgetown"
The British note disclaimed any
attempt ito place a monetary OF
commercial value upon the many
tangible and intangible rights and
property involved"
Leases for all the bases and facili-
ties involved will be for SO years
free from all rent and other charges
except compensation that the United
States may agree to pay the owners
Of private property which might be
lost or damaged through establish.
ment Of the bases.