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The implication behind this statement has not been explained yet.
5.
The question, of course, equally concerns the War Office and Air Ministry, and appears to require early examination jointly between the three Services and possibly the Colonial Office, so that our case may be ready when the U.S. demand comes,
as I feel sure it soon will.
Gt. George Street, S. F. 1.,
13th January, 1941.
ANNEX.
Copy of a telegram from Governor, Trinidad to Colonial Office,
date 30th December, 1940.
No. 945 MOST SECRET.
BADELL BALLER DE
Addressed to S. of S. for the Colonies No. 935. to Washington No. 20 and C.-in-C. America and West Indies No. 91.
+
Repeated
Major Ogden who is in charge of the party referred to in my telegram No. 894 told me during our first interview today that he had no instructions as to reduction of area required for the Army and Air base. On the contrary he thought that 18 square miles would still be demanded and that it would be necessary to ask in addition for a ring of anti- aircraft gun positions round the Cumuto area at a distance of 15 miles. This was the main reason why inland site had been chosen. He also questioned the reduction from 2 divisions to 9,000 men reported by Lord Lothian in his telegram No. 2960 He was strongly and by me in my despatch of 28th December. opposed to any temporary arrangement being made for the Army and Air bases mainly on the grounds that when the war was over the Army would find it difficult to get money voted for a move. The fact that the exchange is now in their favour may also not be absent from minds of the United States Government, though he did not mention this.
2.
If His Majesty's Government accept the argument for inland site and consider the ring of anti-aircraft positions necessary, my unofficial advisers might, I think, agree on that ground to abandon the suggestion of subsequent move of Army and Air base to reclaimed area which is in any case more difficult to sustain if Naval base is not to be constructed there. Suggestion should however be put forward as bargaining counter to ensure fulfilment of conditions 2(a) 1-IV in my telegram No.893 to which all my advisers and I attach great importance. We should also insist on the gun and supply wharves being subsequently built outside Port of Spain and new road to Cumuto site being constructed at United States cost. I gather from my conversation with person named that both of these poin.s might well be conceded.
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