Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file, Admin series
No. 965
The Chairman, U.S. Section, Permanent
Joint Board on Defense (Henry) to the President
Washington, April 23, 1953.
My Dear Mr. President: In view of the impending
visit of the Prime Minister of Canada, I wish to inform you that at the
last
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meeting of the Board,
the Chairman of the Canadian section made a strong plea on behalf of his
Government that the Board reaffirm its position, taken in 1948 and 1951,
that completion of the St. Lawrence waterway and power projects had a direct
bearing on the defense of North America. I assured General McNaughton, Canadian
Chairman, that this view, summarized in the attached memorandum, would
be brought to the attention of United States authorities.
Sincerely yours,
Guy V.
Henry
Major
General, U.S.A. (Ret.)
[Enclosure]
Memorandum
At the meeting April 13–17, 1953, of the Permanent Joint Board on
Defense, Canada–United States, the Chairman of the Canadian Section
presented a submission containing views of the Government of Canada
regarding the St. Lawrence
Seaway and Power Project (enclosure no. 1).1 It was suggested that the Board reaffirm its
previous recommendations regarding the seaway and power
developments.
The Chairman of the United States Section expressed belief that the
Board’s action in December 1948 and February 1951 already placed it
on record as favoring early development of the St. Lawrence waterway and power
projects as in the “best interests” and “vital” for joint defense of
Canada and the United States. He agreed, however, to bring the views
of the Canadian Section to the proper authorities in the United
States.
The submission, after providing familiar background regarding
unsuccessful earlier attempts to obtain Congressional approval for
joint construction of the power, Ontario is ready to undertake
development of its share of the power and navigation phases of the
St. Lawrence project, sets
forth the present position: The International Joint Commission
having approved proposals for the construction of power, Ontario is
ready to undertake development of its share of the power and the
Canadian authorities are awaiting early and favorable action by the
Federal Power Commission on an
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application to construct power facilities on
the New York State side.
The project is considered urgent in Canada, from the standpoint of
preparedness, because the Ontario area to be served by power from
the St. Lawrence provides
nearly half of Canada’s current production of defense goods. The
proportions range from 100% of jet engines to 80% of mechanical
transport and 60% of electronic equipment. The area accounts for all
Canadian-produced synthetic rubber, a large proportion of
explosives, ammunition, ships; large percentages of nickel, copper,
cobalt, and strategic non-ferrous metals, as well as major
fabricating capacity for specified metals and industrial chemicals.
Secondarily, it is asserted, with reference to the reciprocal
procurement of defense materials which the Board has fostered, that
the more limited but nonetheless real defense needs of the United
States are dependent upon industrial plants in Ontario where
activity and expansion may be jeopardized failing an early start in
the development of power from the St. Lawrence.
The stated Canadian view is that early completion of the St.
Lawrence navigation
and power project has, with the passing of time, become an urgent
requirement in the defense of the North American Continent.
