and it is understood to be the intention that the
 
National Council (to which Dr. Benes had previously
 
referred) should also be fully representative in
 
character and comprise within its memebership recognised
 
Czech and Slovak leaders abroad who are not already
 
included in the provisional Government."
 
     5.  A list of the members of the Provisional
 
Czechoslovak Government and of the other members of
 
the National Council is attached.  The Slovaks are
 
marked with a cross.  It will be seen that six of the 
 
thirteen members of the Government are Slovaks.
 
     6.  In these negotiations with Dr. Benes nothing
 
was said about the inclusion of a Ruthenian represent-
 
ative in the Czechoslovak State machinery since
 
(a) it was uncertain whether it would eventually prove
 
desirable to press for the return of Ruthenia from 
 
Hungary to Czechoslovakia:
 
(b) Dr. Benes seemed willing to leave this question in
 
abeyance and
 
(c) there are no outstanding Ruthenian leaders.  It wll,
 
however, be seen that one representative of Ruthenia is
 
in fact included in the State Council.  His Majesty's
 
Government still consider that it would be wiser to leave
 
the Ruthenia question in abeyance and not to prejudge 
 
the future of this relatively small and unimportant community.
 
     7.  Much thought has, on the other hand, been