Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 2

742.5/3–554

No. 985
The Under Secretary of State (Smith) to the Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Atomic Energy (Cole)¹

secret

[Washington,] March 19, 1954.

Dear Mr. Cole: Reference is made to your letter dated March 5, 1954,² to the Secretary, the receipt of which has been acknowledged by telephone, requesting a report on our negotiations with Canada concerning the establishment of an early warning line for continental defense.

The problem of safeguarding North America against air attack has been receiving the constant attention of the Department of Defense and other appropriate agencies of this Government, with a view to determining what actions may be necessary. This Department has the responsibility, of course, only for carrying out the negotiations with Canada necessary to those parts of the program requiring Canadian cooperation. The United States Government is in close and continuous consultation with the Canadian Government on this and on all phases of defense. When the Canadian Prime Minister visited the United States in May of 1953, he explored various proposals with the President.³ Again when President Eisenhower visited Ottawa in November of 1953 continental defense was foremost among the subjects discussed, and complete agreement was reached between the two governments on the need for effective measures against air attack.⁴ Since that time I have been giving this matter my close personal attention in various stages of discussion with the Canadians.

The cooperation received from the Canadian Government has been prompt and effective. Action has already been initiated by the Royal Canadian Air Force and by the United States Air Force, which are the agencies of the two governments charged with the responsibility of carrying out the necessary construction and operation of a sub-Arctic early warning line. Aerial photographic surveys and, in sections where weather has permitted, ground surveys as well, of the line have almost been completed and studies are proceeding with all priority to select the necessary types of equipment and communications. I believe that all aspects of this important project are going forward with the sense of urgency which they merit, and with all practicable dispatch consistent with orderly planning and sound administration. Many technical problems have been encountered in the development of this project, owing to the difficulties of terrain and weather in the area. Both the United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force are expediting their work to solve these problems, recognizing that sound decisions must be reached prior to the physical establishment of the system, if it is to operate properly.

In addition, joint studies by the military services of the two countries are being pressed forward with respect to a proposed more distant early warning line, as well as of all other phases of defense against air attack. Experimental stations have been established in Alaska and the Canadian Arctic and tests are now going forward. Should these experiments determine that the project is feasible and should the decision be made to carry it out, this Department will initiate the necessary negotiations with Canada.

I am sure you are already familiar with the extensive radar installations in Canada which have been compeleted or are in the process of construction, under previous agreements with the Canadian Government.

I shall appreciate it if you will maintain confidential the information in this letter, in view of the need for security and in the light of our continuing discussions with the Canadians. You may be certain that the Governments of the United States and of Canada share a common appreciation of the necessity and importance of taking necessary measures for continental defense. In so far as the responsibilities of this Department are concerned, I can assure you that our negotiations with Canada on this matter will continue to receive the high priority which they deserve.

Sincerely,

Walter B. Smith

1. Drafted by Wight and cleared in draft by Junkerman (Department of Defense), Arneson, and Savage.
2. Supra.
3. For documentation on the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington and talks with the President, see Documents 969 ff.
4. Regarding President Eisenhower’s visit to Ottawa Nov. 13–14, see Document 982.