Evening star., 1941-07-11
British Paying U. S.
Citizens for Work,
President Asserts

Entering the controversy over
whether this Government is al
ready building naval and air
bases in Northern Ireland, PreSi-
dent Roosevelt told a press con-
ference today that whatever is
being done is by straight pur-
chaSes of the British govern
ment, or is under the lease lend
program.
The President said he would not
be surprised if American steel is
being used in so British bases, per-
haps in North Ireland, Scotland or
many other places.
Similarly, he said he had no
doubt that there are many Ameri-
can workmen employed all over the
world who are being paid by the
British government. Such a prac-
ticee is perfectly legal, he added.
Mr.. Roosevelt made these remarks
only a few hours after the British
Foreign Office had announced off,
cially in London that American
technicians and laborers are en-
gagedf in certain works" in North
ern Ireland.
They followed. too. charges by
Senators Taft, Republican, of Ohio
and Wheeler, Democrat, of Montana
ctr nf oavio ho
is already under way in the British
Isles and that American materials
have been shipped for construction
purposes.
Mr. Roosevelt had no comment on
the suggestion of Wendell L. Willkie
that American bases be established
in the British Isles.
Employed by Navy, Wheeler Says.
Commenting today on Mr.. Roose-
velt's press conference statements,
Senator Wheeler said he had been
advised by one of the men who
went to Ireland to build a base
that the man was an employe of
the Navy Department and was not
just an ordinary workman making
a contract with the British govern
ment."
In effect" Senator Wheeler as
serted to reporters, he was men,
ber of the armed forces. He was
ill, and did not want to go, but he
was given no choice. While osten-
sibly he was to be attached to the
American Embassy in London, he
really was assigned to help build
base in Northern Ireland
The Montanan reiterated his
earlier statement about materials
being shipped to Northern Ireland
and Scotland and added it was his
understanding that American and
British naval authorities already
have started conversations looking
toward the pooling Of the tive
navies.
Whether the certain works are
of a military nature was not speci-
fed in the British pronouncement,
but, according to the Associated
Press. the Foreign Ofice added that
reports of establishment of an Amer
lean air base in Ulster ARE not borne
out by information available in Lon
DON
The Foreign Office emphas sized that
the Americans engaged on the North
Irish project are direct employees of
the British government. They had
entered into employment in exercise
of their perfectly legal right to ac-
cept such occupation, and it is
equally open to any other United
States citizens who may desire to aid
the British cause to engage them
selves in Britain"
The London sources did not say
how many Americans are now en-
gagged in the work.
AS the current storm continued
over present or potential American
operations in the area of the British
Isles. Chairman George of the SEN
ate Foreign Relations Committee
announced he is opposed to sending
armed forces of this country to any
additional points outside the West
ern Hemisphere. The Senator has
publicly approved the American
occupation of Iceland.
Senator Wheeler, who forecast
American occupation of Iceland, de-
clined to say where he had received
the report regarding new trans
Atlantic bases.
Il received advices some time
CONTINUED on Page A-3. Column u