DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON               
 
                          March 8. 1943                     
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                   My dear Mr. President:                   
 
      We have not yet made payment to the British for private property 
      taken for use In the United States Bases acquired under the exchange 
      of notes of September 2, 1940, as we are required to do. Some 
      differences have arisen as to valuations - on the whole the values 
      fixed by the Colonial authorities amount to approximately $7,500,000 
      while those fixed by the appraisers for the War and Navy Departments 
      amount to approximately $5,500,000. These differences can undoubtedly 
        be adjusted but some little time will be required.  
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
Under the procedure agreed 
      upon between the two Governments the British authorities are 
      to pay the private property owners and we, in turn, are to reimburse 
      the British Governments. We have discussed with the War and Navy 
      Departments the matter of settling these claims through reverse 
    lend-lease and they would be glad to have it done that w
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                       The President,                       
 
                         The White House.