822.20/211
The Minister in Ecuador (Long) to
the Secretary of State
No. 2534
Quito, January 25,
1942.
[Received January 30.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that the first
tentative arrangement concluded under the Cooperative Defense
Agreement13 was signed in Quito,
January 24, at 7 p.m. by Colonel Alberto Romero, Colonel A. Alban Borja
and Ricardo Astudillo, for Ecuador; E. B. Lyon, Brigadier General,
U.S.A., and William M. Sergeant, U.S.N.R., for our country. Two copies
in English and two in Spanish were signed. One of each remained with
Colonel Romero and General Lyon. The latter took his to General Andrews,
Quarry Heights. I attach hereto as enclosures Nos. 1 and 2 one copy in
English and one in Spanish.
I am informed that the negotiations were conducted at Salinas where the
agreement was drafted, but, as Ecuadoran officials felt they lacked
authorization to sign, the negotiating parties flew to Quito, and after
conferences with the Minister of National Defense (who previously
consulted the President) received his approval to the plan and
agreement. I think some slight reservations were made to the effect that
if found to be susceptible of improvement (or possibly amplification)
the agreement might be modified later.
The President of Ecuador received General Lyon a couple of hours previous
to the signing of the agreement, and when reference was made thereto the
President said that he was familiar with it and thought that instead of
having it good for a year after the signing of peace, we might employ
the same phraseology as had been used in the Cooperative Defense
Agreement as to termination. It was explained that a year might be
needed to dismantle the base and/or reach understandings and carry them
out. The President did not press this point, so the signers did not
alter paragraph fifteen.
Extension of Defense Zone To Include Puná,
Guayaquil, Playas, and Posorja
Oral Suggestions Made by Colonel Astudillo to General Lyon
on January 24th., 7:00 p.m.
Colonel Astudillo suggests for consideration of the commander of the 15th
District that in the 4th military zone in Ecuador it might be hazardous
to have only an air force at Santa Elena point. He urges, [Page 366] that consideration be given to Play as
and Posorja in order to prevent any force from going behind Santa Elena
and isolating the point.
The Colonel, by the same token, pointed out that it would be wise to have
some forces on Puná, which commands the entrance to the harbor at
Guayaquil. He felt that with these two additions the troops at Santa
Elena would have ample protection.
The Colonel also pointed out that at Punta Piedras there were 4 cannon
(Armstrong, 105 mm) and in addition there were scattered along the coast
8 batteries (32 cannon) (Krupp 75 mm), but no ammunition. Could we
assist Ecuador in this regard?
General Lyon said that such things were beyond his authority, but he
would mention them to General Andrews.
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure]
Agreement Concerning the Use of the Salinas
District as a Defense Site
Duly empowered by Colonel Carlos A. Guerrero, Minister for the
National Defense of Ecuador, and by the Commanding General of the
Caribbean Defense Command of the United States of America,
respectively, Colonel Alberto Carlos Romero, Superior Commander of
the Army of Ecuador, and Brigadier General Edwin B. Lyon, United
States Army, met and agreed on the following clauses which, to be of
force, must be previously approved and ratified by the governments
of Ecuador and the United States of America,
- 1.
- The governments of the United States of America and
Ecuador have, through their diplomatic representatives,
reached an agreement of Cooperation by both the countries
for the defense of the continent.
- 2.
- To this effect, Colonel Alberto Carlos Romero empowers the
Commanding General of the Caribbean Defense Command to
occupy the fields of the district Salinas, belonging to the
jurisdiction of the same name, in order to build on them
landing fields, headquarters, storage for fuel, warehouses,
quays for shipping, etc. and to use them for military, naval
and aerial purposes; as well as to install in the waters of
the same territorial section buoys and to use them for
landing of airplanes and anchorage of all kinds of vessels,
etc.
- 3.
- He also allows him to complete, within the same zone,
radio installations, submarine cables, etc., and to use them
for military purposes.
- 4.
- The boundaries of the fields and water areas where the
above mentioned constructions and installations will be
effected, are fixed in the adjoining sketch and plan.
- 5.
- He also allows the Commanding General of the Caribbean
Defense Command to organize an American police for internal
service during the stay of the personnel of the Army, Navy
and Aviation of the United States of America on Ecuadorian
soil.
- 6.
- The above mentioned constructions may be started as soon
as the present agreement is signed. General Lyon agrees to
recommend that there be paid immediately to the Government
of Ecuador the sum of thirty five thousand American dollars
for the expropriation of the terrains affected by this
agreement and as indemnization for the constructions which
must be demolished for the completion of the above mentioned
works and installations, this sum to be the total cost under
the present plan of the rights granted by Ecuador to the
United States.
- 7.
- The Government of Ecuador takes charge of the legal
procedure for the expropriation and evacuation of the real
estate situated within the boundaries of the aforesaid
district of Salinas which General Lyon may request.
- 8.
- The Government of the United States of America may empower
any of its officials to carry out the works and
installations comprised in the present agreement.
- 9.
- The Government of Ecuador grants, under its guarantee, the
remaining capacity of transportation by the railroad
Guayaquil–Salinas, in order that it may be used to carry the
passengers and cargo necessary for the authorized works and
installations and for mutual defense. Such transportation
will be paid for by the United States Government at the
regular tariff.
- 10.
- The armed forces of the United States of America are
empowered to take all measures and steps for the sanitation
of the places occupied by them and their
surroundings.
- 11.
- The roads and all means of conveyance and communication
which are within the territory and those leading to it
comprised in the present agreement, may be freely used by
the armed forces of the United States.
- 12.
- In any time and under any circumstance, the Government of
Ecuador retains its sovereign power on the whole territory
of the Republic, including the lands of the present
territory.
- 13.
- The arrival of the American forces at the places comprised
in the present agreement and their stay in them during the
existence of the aforesaid agreement are permitted.
- 14.
- If it were necessary to use the American land forces
outside the area of Salinas, in cooperation with the
Ecuadorian forces for mutual defense against a common enemy,
the said land forces of both [Page 368] the nations would be put under command of
the Ecuadorian officer whom the Government of Ecuador would
appoint. The American Air forces, of the Army as well as of
the Navy, will remain always under the commanding General,
Caribbean Defense Command for the general defense of the
Canal area.
- 15.
- The present agreement will be in force until one year
after the signature of peace by the Government of the United
States of America with the Axis Powers, and it may be
renewed after this time by agreement of both parties.
Witnessed by
Alberto Romero
Coronel Ecuador
Witnessed by
E. B. Lyon
Brig. Genl. U.S. Army
Quito, January 24,
1942
A. Alban Borja
R. Astudillo
William M. Sergeant
Lt. (
C.E.C.)
USNR
