811.248/339: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State

568. Department’s 304 January 26, 10 p.m.; my 463, January 31, 2 p.m.; Department’s 398, February 2, 9 p.m. I have just received the following letter signed by Mr. Eden.

“On the 27th January, Your Excellency left with me a copy of a telegram from the State Department61 requesting that the permission of His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom might be obtained to enable the United States Government to establish an air base in Ascension Island for the purpose of using this island as a staging point for the delivery of short range bombers across the South Atlantic Ocean. The hope was also expressed that His Majesty’s Government would be prepared to cooperate with the United States Government in the matter of importing the machinery, personnel, equipment and other facilities for this purpose.

2.
It was further suggested that American commercial aircraft should in the postwar period have the right to utilize the airport and that discussions should proceed between the United States and British Governments for the purpose of settling the details of this question. The State Department’s telegram concluded by stating that it was proposed that arrangements for the local defence of the airport during the present emergency should be made by the Combined Chiefs of Staff.
3.
I now have the honor to inform you that His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom welcome the proposals of the United States Government and are in full agreement as to the importance of Ascension Island for the purposes described above in connection with the war. They agree, therefore, to accord all facilities to enable the United States Government to establish the proposal staging point as quickly as possible. His Majesty’s Government note that the United States authorities will take the necessary steps to prevent damage to existing cable lines. They would point out, however, that the landing and other facilities on the island are under the control of Cable and Wireless Limited, who, apart from the military garrison, are the only other occupiers of Ascension. His Majesty’s Government expect, therefore, that the occupational rights of Cable and Wireless Limited will be safeguarded as far as possible and the company’s local manager Rupert consulted by the officer in charge of the construction party. His Majesty’s Government would wish to be informed as soon as possible of the date on which the construction party will leave for Ascension Island.
4.
His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom further recognize that the United States Government will desire to share in the post-war use of the island for commercial aviation and are ready to join in discussions with the United States Government with a view to reaching a reasonable settlement of the question of the commercial uses of the airport in the post-war period. In view of the importance of completing the airport with a minimum of delay, His Majesty’s Government would not wish discussion of the question of commercial user to delay the constructional and other necessary work on the airport and they are willing to agree to this being started immediately leaving the discussions on the question of post-war user to be undertaken as soon as is mutually convenient. His Majesty’s Government feel, however, that the airport should not be used by commercial aircraft during the war save in emergency or for purely military purposes otherwise than by agreement between His Majesty’s Government and the United States Government.
5.
His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom agree that arrangements for the local defense of the airport during the present emergency should be made by the Combined Chiefs of Staff. [”]
Winant
  1. See telegram No. 304, January 26, 10 p.m., to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom, p. 557.