Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 55 Part 2.djvu/721

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

55 STAT.] GREAT BRITAIN, CANADA-NAVAL AND AIR BASES-MAR. 27,1941 EXCHANGES OF NOTES STATUS OF NEWFOUNDLAND The British Prime Minister to the American Ambassador FOREIGN OFFICE, LONDON, S.W . 1, YOUR EXCELLENCY, March 7, 94 I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that, in signing this day the Agreement concerning the lease of Bases, it is the intention of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland that, upon the resumption by Newfoundland of the constitutional status held by it prior to the 16th February, 1934, the words "the Government of the United Kingdom," wherever they occur in relation to a provision applicable to Newfoundland in the said Agreement, shall be taken to mean, so far as Newfoundland is con- cerned, the Government of Newfoundland, and the Agreement shall then be construed accordingly. 2. If the Government of the United States agree to this interpreta- tion, I would suggest that the present Note and your Excellency's reply to that effect be regarded as placing on record the understanding of the two Contracting Governments in this matter. I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, Your Excellency's obedient Servant, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL His Excellency The Honourable JOHN GILBERT WINANT, &c., &c., &c. The American Ambassador to the British Prime Minister EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, YOUREXCELLENCY, London, March 27, 1941. YOUR EXCELLENCY, I HAVE the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's Note of to-day's date, the terms of which are as follows: "Your Excellency, "I have the honour to inform your Excellency that, in signing this day the Agreement concerning the lease of Bases, it is the intention of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland that, upon the resumption by New- foundland of the constitutional status held by it prior to the 16th February, 1934, the words 'the Government of the United King- dom,' wherever they occur in relation to a provision applicable to 1595