811.203/6–747: Airgram
The Ambassador in Canada (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
A–124. Reference Embassy’s despatch 5271, May 231 and previous. House of Commons last night defeated by 104 votes to 26 CCF amendment to government bill providing for jurisdiction of US service courts over members of US armed forces in Canada. Amendment would have effectively killed measure by referring it to committee for “study”.
Vote climaxed three days of unexpectedly sharp debate during which many CCF members objected to presence of any US armed forces in Canada and Progressive-Conservative members voiced miscellaneous objections to bill. Progressive-Conservatives however joined with Government in defeating CCF motion. Embassy now regards passage as certain.
In course of debate External Affairs Secretary St. Laurent stated that any American troops who operate in Canada do so under Canadian [Page 112] command and that there was no intention of establishing American bases on Canadian soil but that “no man can undertake to say that there may not unfortunately be some time when all Canadians will be glad to see posts established here”.
Despite favorable outcome of vote, protracted debate on this bill has been unfortunate in that it may tend to create less favorable atmosphere for consideration of future joint defense requests and has supplied Canadian Government with excuse for cautious handling of such requests.
- Not printed.↩