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Foreign Office,
October
[W 12345/10815/G]
(No. 805.)
My Lord, October 16, 1941.
THE United States Ambassador came to see me this evening, when he showed
me a confidential message from his Government, of which the gist is the
following:—
2. The War Department has been studying the question of Pacific air bases
and has concluded that the immediate establishment of an air route between
Honolulu and the Philippine Islands, suitable for the movement of heavy
bombardment land type aircraft, is imperative to national defence. Some of these
bases lie in British, Australian, New Zealand, Dutch and Free French territory,
and the help of these authorities is therefore necessary. It is hoped that their full
co-operation will be forthcoming.
3. Proposed route will provide bases at Honolulu, Palmyra Island, Canton
Island, Tutukaka Island, American Samoa, Fiji, New Hebrides, New Caledonia,
Rockhampton (Australia), Darwin, Kendari, Celebes or Ambon Island, Davao,
Manila, with supplementary or alternate bases at Christmas Island, Solomon
Islands, New Britain. Port Moresby and Tarrakan.
4. The longest over-water flights will be from Jbnolulu to Palmyra—1.104
miles—and from New Caledonia to Rockhampton—Jfe4 miles.
5. Preliminary surveys have been completed, ^"he War Department has
had certain informal discussions with the British Military Missk>n. Substance
of these discussions has been forwarded to London, Canberra Jid Wellington.
It is also understood that the matter of Pacific air bases was J^cussed at recent
meeting between the President and the Prime Minister. Discussions have now-
reached a point where it is desirable to obtain from the Brit ishfand other Govern-
ments a statement of their approval and desire to co-
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6. Once agreement is reached in principle, Unitecr States War Department
desires permission to communicate with Local officials for the purpose of making
surveys separately or jointly with British or other authorities concerned, or for
the entry of the necessary construction parties on selected sites for the establish-
ment of svich suitable aerodromes as may be jointly decided upon.
7. United States War Department would like the Governments concerned
to construct bases in their respective territories in accordance with the
requirements of the American aircraft, but is willing to provide technical and
financial assistance and, when necessary, to carry out the immediate construction.
8. The United States Government is repeating this information to
Australian, New Zealand and to the Netherlands Governments.
10916-195 [22970-13]
I am, with great truth and respect,
My Lord,
Your Excellency's obedient Servant,
(For the Secretary of State)
His Excellency
The Right Honourable
Viscount Halifax, K.G. , G.C.S.I.*
etc. ,     etc.,     etc.,
Washington.