Evening star., 1941-11-24
u. ). Soldiers
To Be Sent 10
Dutch Guiana
Troops Will Help
Protect Vital
Bouxite Mines
By BLAIR BOLLES.

American Army troops VIII Dc
sent to Surinam Dutch Guiana in
northern South America to AS
sure" protection of bauxite mines
there, the White House announced
this afternoon.
The move brings United States
and South American military inter-
ests in closer coordination than any
step taken here since the war broke
out in Europe
Stephen Early, White House sec
retary, said the soldiers will coop
crate with the Netherlands forces
in protecting the mines.
Mr.. Early pointed out that Surf
nam bauxite mines furnish upward
Of go per cent OF the requirements
Of that mineral for the United
States aluminium industry.
The decision to send troops to
South America was reached after
consultation between this Govern
ment, the Dutch government and
the Brazilian government. Brazil
borders Surlnam on the south.
No Indication of Size.
This decision will put American
troops closer TO the easternmost
hump Of South America than they
are now and thus place the United
States in better position to take
action on the relatively narrow
stretch of Atlantic Ocean between
westernmost Africa and Natal,
Brazil
No indication was given as to the
size of the American contingent nor
the time for its departure. The
United States troops now nearest to
Dutch Guiana are at Trinidad.
Surinam. referred to in Mr.. Earlys
statement by its Dutch name rather
than as Dutch Guiana by which II
is better known, is adjacent on the
east TO British Guiana, where the
United States has base rights &C
cording to the agreement reached
with Great Britain in August, 1910
The White House stated that the
Far Eastern tension contributed to
the decision to send American troops
to Dutch Guiana.
Without explaining what was
meant by danger" the White
House said the American contin-
gent will. of course. be withdrawn
as soon as the present danger 10 the
mines is removed and at the latest
at the conclusion of hostilities."
Vital Defense Material.
The White House statement was
/ issued by Mr.. Early at an extraordi-
nary conference called for lis pm.
The statement pointed out that
aluminium lis vital TO the defense
Of the United States, the Western
Hemisphere and the nations actively
resisting aggression"
With regard to the position OF
Brazil, the statement said:
The government of the Neither
lands has invited the government
of the United States of Brazil to
participate in this defense measure
! 1T is understood that Brazil will
contribute to the common aim by
/ exercising an especial measure of
military vigilance in the frontier
zone adjacent to Surinam and by
| sending a mission to Paramaribo
,Surinam capitaD to exchange in
| formation and concert all other
steps on the basis indicated to assure
maximum efficiency of the safety
measures thus being jointly under
taken by the Brazilian. United
States and Netherlands forces.
Brazil Indicates Approval.
The government of Brazil has in
dicated its approval Of the emer-
gency measures
The United States has notified the
other American republics OF this
military move Mr. Early said
The White House announcement
said:
The bauxite mines in Surinam
furnish upwards of so per cent of
the requirements of the United
States aluminium industry which is
vital to the defense of the United
States. the Western Hemisphere and
the nations actively resisting aggres-
sion.
1T is therefore necessary that the
safety of these mines should be
as completely assured as present
conditions demand.
In normal circumstances the gov
ernment OF the Netherlands would,
for the purpose of Strengthening
further the defenses OF Surinam,
draw on the armed forces Of the
Netherlands Indies. Ir view, how
ever. of the present situation in the
Southwestern Pacific. it is thought
inadvisable to follow that course.
For this reason the government,
OF the Netherlands and of the Uniteo
States of America have entered into
consultation. As result. the lat
ter has agreed to send contingent
of the United States Army to Surf
nam to cooperate with the Neither
lands forces in assuring the protec-
(See DITCH Guiana Page A-4)