' "We getting additional United States destroyers. ADMIRAL STARK continued, .just don't'have any destroyers to spare, and.in fact 'have far fewer thanwe require for our own needs." The construction program, 'he Stated, wasfarthest behind in destroyers, battleships, and patrol 'vessels. 'He said that the s. itua~ion along American seacoasts, with regard to the need for corvettes and other small patrol craft, is cr. itical. 'In fact, it ,is desired that the Br. itish lend to the United States any ~vailable 'vessels suitable for coastal patrol work. ADMIRAL. POUND then suggested that the whole question of general N~val dispositions of the two Navies be discussed. 6. PORTUGUESE AND SPANISH ISLANDS IN TKE ATLANTIC. - ADMIRALSTARK asked Admiral Pound what .importance 'he attached to the Azores. ADMIRAL POUND stated that the Br. itish attached tremendous importance to these Islands, particularly.if 6ibralter should become untenable. "We need the Azores 'very much; they'have great .importance from every He said, point of view." ADMIRAL POUND went on to say that the Cananies also are im- portant; that they might be .iMv. ited to go .in the re. ADMiRAL STARK then asked what .importance the British attach to the Cape 'Verde 'Islands. ADMIRAL POUND replied that it was only a.question of denying them to the enemy, rather than their actual use by the British. ADMIRAL KING then remarked that United 'States interest in the Cape 'Verde Islands ,is strategic, because of their location between Dakar and Brazil. He went on to say that "we can not do all these things"; the Bnitish should take the responsib, ility for the Azores, and the United States for the Cape Verde 'Islands. ADMIRAL'STARK suggested that further study be given to this question, to which ADMIRAL POUND agreed. OCCUPATION OF'AFRICA. - ADMIRAL STARK said that 'he felt it undesirable for the United States to consider sending troops to Egypt or Libya. If the Br. itish can continue there and clean up, it would automatically protect Dakan~ and. at the same time 'Iran and 'Iraq would be of no great concern. So far as West Afl:ica is concerned, the United'States should fall in line with Bnitish action. GENERAL MARSIULL read notes taken from a memorandum made at the White 'House conference yesterday., to the effect that if the Br. itish should reach Tunis there was the possibility of a French i~vitation to occupy North Africa. -4 - |