By letter of November 15, Mr. Snow informed Mr. Magann that the U.S.N. wished to have Edisto operate in January and February, 1949 along the east coasts of Baffin, Bylot, and Devon Islands (and the west and east coasts of Greenland) with the primary purpose of investigating ice conditions and the practicability of operations in the area under winter conditions. Snow went on to list the purposes of these exercises as follows:

(a) To determine the limits of operations by "Arctic" type vessels.

(b) test the practicability of unloading cargo over the ice.

(c) train personnel and test equipment and material.

(d) To record ice conditions.

(e) To observe geographical, navigation, and aviation conditions.

(f) To record hydrographic, meteorological, and electromagnetic propagation data.

(g) To conduct ... such other scientific investigations and services as desired by other Government agencies."

2. Snow also pointed out that in addition to requiring permission for the above listed activities, the U.S.N. required authorization to enter Canadian Arctic Territorial waters and make landings on Canadian Arctic territory at such points as ice conditions permit.

3. External passed this request to Chiefs of Staff Committee for consideration by the latter and by Cabinet Defence Committee. At the same time Mr. Keenleyside was asked by External whether he would have any objections to the proposed exercises.

4. Mr. Keenleyside has now replied making the following points among others:

(a)Landings on the islands will probably prove difficult but, if effected, there should be no taking of game or interference with the Eskimos.

(b) It is highly desirable for a representative of the Geographical Bureau to accompany the Edisto since it is concerned with ice studies and Arctic geography.

(c) The R.C.N. and Transport might also wish to send observers (We had already pointed out to the Secretary, Chiefs of Staff Committee, that the Government might wish observers to be present despite the fact the U.S. request contained no invitation with respect to Canadian observers.).

(d) Copies of all reports resulting from the exercises should be provided to the Canadian Government by the U.S.N. and would be of considerable interest to Mines and Resources.

5. It would seem difficult to turn down the U.S. request and the expedition will doubtless produce data of interest to both countries. If it is decided to recommend its authorization to the Cabinet Defence Committee, authorization should presumably be recommended subject to the conditions suggested regarding game, noninterference with Eskimos, presence of two or three Canadian observers, provision of reports by the U.S.N. and, on the underStanding that if any U.S. civilian scienbehalf through diplomatic channels for N.W.T." licenses in the usual way.

6. At the June 1 meeting of the Advisory Committee on Northern Development Mr. Pearson suggested that future authorizations of U.S. activities in Canada should be as specific as possible so as to avoid controversy as to what has and has not been authorized. In the circumstances, before the U.S. request goes to Cabinet Defence Committee it might be advisable if we requested Washington to clarify projects (c), (e) and (g) listed " paragraph No. 1 above. We should doubtless know whether ( c) will include firing practice, other use of munitions, or other military exercises on land or at sea; what aircraft are involved in item (e); and what additional investigations and services are contemplated in item (g).

G.G. C[REAN]