811.34544/673: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 9—5:58 p.m.]
915. From President’s Base Lease Commission. Thank you for your 777, March 8, 6 p.m. Under the impetus of your and the Ambassador’s efforts the result of recent meetings including one today gives us some hope of submitting tomorrow night a complete draft of the agreement for your final consideration unless articles I and II are delayed. We must still secure accord on special provisions for Trinidad and possibly Bermuda and some other details which we believe can be quickly settled if the present momentum continues.
The British desire a tripartite exchange of notes with the Canadian and our Government to the effect that nothing in the agreement shall be deemed to conflict with the arrangements relative to defense of Newfoundland already made by the United States–Canada Joint Defense Board.94 We have agreed subject your approval.
The Prime Minister attaches great importance to assurance on the jurisdictional point mentioned in the Ambassador’s 908, March 8, 10 [Page 80] p.m. We feel that the Ambassador’s presentation covers the case and are accordingly not making separate recommendation. [Base Lease Commission.]