Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02
Urges Acquisition Of
Trinidad as Bose
British Outpost Held VitoI
To Adequate Defense in
Caribbean Area
To the Editor OF The Star.

To the Editor Of The Star
There is virtual unanimity of opinion
that the United States Is to undertake
the responsibility of the defense of this
hemisphere. A two-ocean Navy has been
authorized and the militia is subject to
duty anywhere in the New World. The
joint American Canadian Defense Com
mittee is making real progress toward
a cooperative defense plan between
ourselves and our northern neighbors.
But in the region where action is
needed, it is conspicuous by its alb
sence. The vital spot in the defense of
this hemisphere is the Panama Canal.
The possibility Of this gateway being
closed by an enemy has motivated the
increase of our Navy and a chain of
fortresses is being constructed to guard
this strategic point. However, the chain
is too short for any effectiveness, and
the loose end bangles in the warm wa
tiers of the Caribbean Sea. To provide an
adequate defense for the canal, another
link has to be added.
This link will connect the two CONT
nents, from the tip of Florida to the
coast Of Venezuela. with what might
prove to be the lifeline OF. the Western
Hemisphere.
To forge this last link we must obtain
naval and air bases on the island of
Trinidad. This British possession lies
midway between Puerto Rico and the
northern coast of South America. Today
our neutrality patrol tries vainly to po-
lice this long stretch; but if war should
come upon us the increased responsible
ity of safeguarding this area would force
us to take immediate action and acquire
bases wherever We could At the pres
ent time work Is going on "a hours a day
to strengthen our military and naval
stations in Puerto Rico. In order to
obtain satisfactory bases of operation,
much time and effort must be spent.
Airfields, fuel supplies, hangers and bar
racks cannot spring up overnight. We
must secure this outpost and equip it or
we may find that we are leaving any
potential enemy site which may be
captured and used as an advance base
against us.
1t is. generally considered probable
that any foreign foe would first seek a
base Of operations in this hemisphere
somewhere along the northeastern coast
Of South America. The rich oil fields
of Venezuela and the canal would then
be the next detectives. Trinidad lies
right in the path of such a movement
and must be made ready for any such
activity.
Before the Havana Conference it was
believed by some that any action on the
part of the United Statss to acquire such
concessions would be Yrowned upon bv
the Latin Americans and that the good
neighbor" policy should not be endan-
gered by any moves to the southwark.
However, the authority granted the
President to send the militia anywhere
In this hemisphere was not considered
as an encroachment upon their sover-
eighty by any of the countries below the
Rio Grande.
Various suggestions have been made
toward aiding Britain and in return re-
ceiving concessions on various British
islands. Those who favor positive aid to
the English undoubtedly feel it justified,
but we should not let that question cloud
the issue of great importance to our ma
tional defense
Our chain of defense must be COM
pleted before it is too late The one re-
naming link that needs to be added is
the island Of Trinidad.
A. KELLY SHELTON.
San Juan, Puerto Rico.
August q.