SECRET                                                         6 November 1940
 
 
                       MEMORANDUM FOR ADMIRAL STARK
 
     Complying with your request for comments on your secret
 
memorandum for the Secretary dated November 4, 1940, the following 
 
comments are submitted but are not offered in any sense as a 
 
criticism.
 
          I think your mecret memorandum is excellent. I agree with 
 
it and with the general conclusions.
 
               Under the national major objectives which you mention I note 
 
that no reference is made either to Hitler or to Nazi ambitions.
 
            On page 5 of the secret memorandum emphasis is placed on the
 
survival of the British Isles. For us is not the survival of the 
 
British Fleet a more vital factor?
 
     I think the elements vital to Britain which must be held are 
 
in order of importance:-
 
                        1. British Fleet
                        2. British Isles
                        3. Suez and Egypt
                        4. Gibraltar
                        5. Far Eastern Possessions
 
I do not think that Hongkong, India and British Possessions in the 
 
Far East in any way compare in importance to holding these vital 
 
areas in Europe.
 
     The immediate menace to Britain at the moment appears to be 
 
in the Eastern Mediterranean. The outcome here depends in no small 
 
degree on the attitude and the possible action of Russia. Perhaps 
 
more consideration should be given to the possible attitude of Russia
 
particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean.