THE WHITE HOUSE                       
 
                            WASHINGTON                      
 
                                                            
 
 
                          1-14-42                           
 
                          MR. PRESIDENT.                    
 
                                                            
 
 
May I leave with you this reminder about your promise to make 
      some statement confirming that there is to be no question of 
      the transfer to the United States of the British West Indian 
      Colonies either under the Bases Agreement or otherwise
 
                                                            
 
 
I stated in the House of Commons on August 20, 1940, "There 
      is of course no question of any transference of sovereignty - 
      that has never been suggested - or of any action being taken 
      without the consent of or against the wishes of the various colonies 
      concerned." Anxiety is however still felt on the subject 
      in many Islands, and it has been suggested that, as this is likely 
      to be revived by the publication of the proposed communiqué 
      about the Anglo-American Caribbean Commission, that announcement 
      would be a suitable occasion for your statement, possibly in 
      reply to an inspired question at a Press Conference, subsequent 
                      to the Press release.                 
 
                                                            
 
 
                        (Churchill)                         
 
      14.1.42