811.2342/354

The Minister in Canada (MacNider) to the Secretary of State

No. 868

Sir: With reference to the Department’s instruction No. 552 of May 18, 1932, (file No. 811.2342/349) directing the Legation to approach the Canadian Government on the subject of “blanket” permission for certain flights over Canadian territory by United States Army aircraft, I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a reply to the Legation’s representations. It will be seen that the Canadian Government is willing to comply with the request, provided similar privileges are extended for Canadian military aircraft passing over the State of Maine between Quebec and New Brunswick and conditional on the observation of certain stipulations specified under sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d). The Canadian note likewise suggests that the arrangement be terminable on notice by either government and renewable by mutual agreement for successive annual periods.

The note is being acknowledged with the statement that the Legation will not fail to communicate immediately with the Department of External Affairs on receipt of a reply.

Respectfully yours,

For the Minister:
B. Reath Riggs

First Secretary of Legation
[Enclosure]

The Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs (Bennett) to the American Minister (MacNider)

No. 94

Sir: I have the honour to refer to your note No. 465 of the 26th May, 1932, regarding a request from the Government of the United [Page 100] States of America to the Government of Canada to grant “blanket” permission, for a period of one year from the 1st July, 1932, for Army aircraft of the United States to fly over Canadian territory in making flights from Selfridge Field, Mount Clemens, Michigan, to Cleveland, Ohio, or to Buffalo, New York.

After consideration of the matter by the Canadian competent authorities, the conclusion has been reached that there is no objection to granting this request provided the Government of the United States be prepared to extend similar privileges for Canadian Military aircraft to fly across the State of Maine by direct route between points of departure in Quebec to destination in New Brunswick, or vice versa, and that the following suggestions, the substance of which would be equally applicable to both parties, be acceptable to the Government of the United States:

(a)
The most direct route shall be followed unless stress of weather compells deviation;
(b)
Aircraft shall not land outside their own territory except by special arrangement between the two Governments;
(c)
In the case of forced landings outside their own territory, pilots shall, within as little delay as possible, report to the local police and customs authorities and notify, by telegraph, the appropriate Departments of their respective Governments;
(d)
No photographs shall be taken while en route over foreign territory.

It is also suggested that this arrangement be terminable on notice by either Government, and renewable, by mutual-agreement, for successive annual periods as desired.

Accept [etc.]

O. D. Skelton

For Secretary of State for External Affairs