Evening star., 1940-08-25
Bermuda Sound
Made Available
For u. 5. Base
Colony Reossured
Against Split
From Empire

BACKGROUND - British Prime
Minister Churchill told the House
of Commons last Tuesday that
Britain ,Uas discussing leasing OF
bases NTH the United States and
Foreign Minister Lord Hdlftdr
told the House OF Lords that
agreement already had been
reached in principle NTH Wash
ington 1t lrdS intintdted then
that Bermuda. Newfoundland and
points in the West Indies all
might become sites for United
States bases for Western Hemt-
sphere defense.
MAP on Page ABB
Bv the Associated Press.
HAMILTON, Bermuda. Aug "a
The Great Sound of Bermuda Will
be made available to the United
States for an air base and possibly
for a naval base, on 99-year lease,
Mai. Gen. Denis Bernard, governor
of Bermuda. informed a special ses-
sion of this British colony's assembly
today.
The legislat ature first had received
assurances that the unprecedented
step would have no effect on Ber-
muda's status in the British EN-
pire.
This was the first specific indi-
cation of where United States bases
on British territory in the west
ern hemisphere might be estab-
lished.
Assurance Asked.
A memorial sent to the governor
for transmission to Lord Lloyd, Brit
ish secretary of state for colonies,
declared that the people of Ber-
muda are deeply disturbed lest some
new conception of American hemis-
pheric defense may affect the status
of this ancient colony as an integral
part of the British commonwealth
1t asked assurance that nothing
be allowed to prejudice our constl-
tuition. our government or our COM
plete happiness and contentment
under British rule"
Reaffirming answering loyalty
to the crown. the memorial recog-
nized that the British governments
considerable of the defense pro-
posals was intended only to further
the interests of the empire at this
critical juncture" and pledged sup.
port of any agreement.
Answer Reassuring.
The Governor message. in reply.
said the memorial had been an
swered reassuringly by Lord Lloyd.
who declared. There is no Ques-
ton of Bermuda or any part OF 1t
being separated from the British
Empire or of the people of Bermuda
ceasing to be British subjects
As far as Bermuda is concerned.
the message said. the negotiations
so far are confined to provisions
for an air base for which the waters
of Great Sound would be made
available
1T is, of course, possible that q
request for naval bases may be
made by the United States" the
message added, land
should this be forthcoming the Gov
ernor is sure that by giving them
most sympathetic consideration he
would be furthering the wishes OF
the people of Bermuda"
Bermuda has figured recently In
reports that the United States and
Great Britain have agreed in prin-
ciple" on leasing air and naval bases
on British possessions in the West
ern Hemisphere to the United
States.
Great Sound, chief water entrance
to Bermuda. is a landlocked, island
studded body of water filling the
hollow of the fish hook" at the
western end of Bermuda Island. the
largest of the British colony off the
coast of North Carolina-about TOO
miles southeast of New York and
$40 east of Cape Hatteras.
The entrance to the sound is from
the north, between Ireland Island
on the west and Spanish Point on
the east.
Protected water from the sounds
mouth opposite Ireland Island to
the southern shore of Little Sound.
at its innermost reaches, is about
3 miles.
At its broadest. between Somerset
Island on the west and the Harbor
of Hamilton. Bermuda's chief mort
on the east, it is about 5la miles.