or in war I do not think it wise to depend
 
                       upon others for victory.
 
     As you have also pointed out, if we wage war on Japan 
 
it will reduce the amount of aid which we can give to Great 
 
Britain. I believe Britain cannot survive without aid from the 
 
United States. If we wage war upon Japan under present cir-
 
cumstances we are not only risking, but contributing to, the 
 
following eventuality:
 
               War on two fronts in two oceans separated 
 
     thousands of miles and a war which we will have to 
 
     fight alone.
 
          I believe survival of Great Britain, or at least survival
 
of the British Fleet, is essential to save us from war in two 
 
oceans. If this is true, this factor then becomes the one 
 
paramount vital factor for us to consider.
 
     I believe the following to be, not only the soundest, 
 
but the safest strategic course to follow:
 
     Protect the Americas, aid Britain with our whole strength, 
 
ensure victory in the Atlantic and Europe, and then deal with 
 
Japan and any questions in the Far East regardless of what may have
 
happened in the mean time.
 
          If victory in the Atlantic and Europe is insured, then we 
 
are secure both in the Atlantic and Pacific. If victory in Europe 
 
is only partial, or if it should be a reverse, we are still in an
 
advantageous position to defend the Americas.
 
                                                  Respectfully,
 
                                                   J. M. Reeves
 
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