Bases: (U.S« on Br islands) 2074/^/40 Ls4Z. 4h +m *ww nth. I have now been Instructed to Inform you that as regards the proposed bases In Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamacla, Antigua, St, Lucia and British Guiana, all the British authorities concerned have now been able to consider the proposals put forward by Rear Admiral Greonslade during his recent visits to these colonies and have now reac had agree- ment as to who areas which should be leased and the facilities which should be accorded to the United States authorities In the different colonies* It is understood that these areas The Honourable. and/ Sumner Welles, Acting Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D.C. PREMiNT jGA and facilities, a description of which Is contained In the schedule annexed to this letter* are In accordance with the require- ments of the United States authorities. You will moreover note from this schedule that the question of the grant of certain further facilities at Bermuda and St. Lucia Is still under consideration. The whole question of the area to oe leased and facilities to be granted in Trinidad Is also still under ex- amination by the iirltlsh authorities. In the majority of cases the exact boundaries of the areas to be leased have yet to be defined and it will of course eventually be necessary for formal leases to be concluded in terms still to be agreed on, leasing the areas in question to the United States authori- ties for the period of 99 years. Before however such leases can be concluded It will he necessary for various questions concerning Inter alia masters of administration and Jurisdiction to be discussed between our two governments. As the Ambassador has already explained In his letter/ /2L latter of October 14th to Colonel Knox and on other occasions, the drlWah Government feel that the discussions on these points could most appropriately take place in London, and I have been instructed to ex- press the hope that the United States Govern- ment will also share this view. IUs : ajeaty's Government have however no desire to surest that work on the various Oases should be postponed pending the comple- tion of the formal leases and I am authorised to inform you that as far as they are concerned the British authorities are entirely agreeable that work should be begun by the American authorities without further delay on all the sites their locations of which have already 06en agreed upon and which are set out In the attached schedule* In the case of the proposed base in Antigua, however, Hia Majesty's Government are anxious for the reasons set out in my letter of N'ove -ber 4th to the Secretary of the Navy, and In order to avoid disturbing the loci labour position, that if possible any/ any "ft J or conatrusttonal work In that Island •hould ae poatponad until Jon*, 1941. I an to express tha hope that tha mlta<* Etetee authorities v.ay find It posnlble to west tha ?laws of t'na ?rttlsh authorities in thla respect. aallsva m0 Dear .*-r. MMtj Secretary, Very sincerely youra. (SIOKBD) K. Ill Ml