AC
This telegram must be                   London
closely paraphrased be-
fore being communicated            Dated August 28, 1939
to anyone. (A)
                                        Rec'd 11:25 a.m.
 
Secretary of State 
 
     Washington
 
 
     TRIPLE PRIORITY
 
     1292, August 28, 5 p.m.
 
     STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
 
          My 1288, August 28,  2 p.m.
        
     The Foreign Office informs me confidentially that
 
the draft reply to Hitler was finally approved by the
 
Cabinet at noon today with only one change which was 
 
described as "not one of substance" to the effect 
 
that they are asking the Poles to express their 
 
willingness to enter immediately on direct negotia-
 
tions with Germany on the premises laid down in the 
 
British note. They have no reason to suppose that 
 
the Poles will decline to give this assurance. Ambassa-
 
dor Henderson is flying back to Berlin this afternoon 
 
about 5 o'clock and they hope that he will be able 
 
to deliver the reply to Hitler tonight. The timing 
 
of course depends on Hitler. A slight feeling of 
 
 
optimism prevails in spite of the Daladier-Hitler
 
bout.                                                                 
 
                         KENNEDY
 
 
WWC:HTM