ALH                                          London
This telegram must be
closely paraphrased before                             Dated December 21, 1941
being communicated to
anyone. (B)                                       Rec'd 1:20 a.m., 22nd
 
Secretary of Staff,
 
     Washington.
 
     TRIPLE PRIORITY
     6166, December 21, 10 p.m.  (SECTION FOUR)
     
     "We have not, and we cannot have, such war aims as forcing our will and our regime upon
the Slavonic or any other enslaved European peoples, who are expecting our assistance.  Our
aims consists in helping these peoples in their struggle for liberation against Hitlerite tyranny, and
later permitting them freely to settle their own destiny in their own land.  No interference in the
internal affairs of other people."
 
     Nine.  At this moment it will probably be found premature to attempt to reach any
conclusion as regards the post-war territorial settlement, having regard to Clause 2 of the Atlantic
Charter, which deprecates any territorial changes that do not accord with the freely expressed
wishes of the peoples concerned.  On the other hand, His Majesty's Government recognize the
need in any eventualy settlement to strengthen the smaller countries of Europe so as to put them,
both economically and strategically, in a
                         position