JT
 
This telegram must be                                  LONDON
closely paraphrased, be- 
fore being communicated                                Dated May 15, 1940
to anyone. (D)
                                                       Rec'd 10:12 p.m., 14th
 
Secretary of State, 
 
     Washington.
 
 
          RUSH
          
     1211 May 15, 2 a.m.          (?)
 
          FOR THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY OF STATE.
 
          I just left Churchill at one o'clock. He is sending 
 
you a message tomorrow morning saying he consider with 
 
the Entrance of Italy, the chances of the Allies winning 
 
is slight. He said the German push is showing great power 
 
and although the French are holding tonight they are de-
 
finitely worried. They are asking for more British troops
 
at once, but Churchill is unwilling to send more from
 
England at time because he is convinced within a
 
month England will be vigorously attacked, The reason for
 
the message to you is that he needs help badly, I asked him 
 
what the United States could do to help that would not 1eave 
 
the United States holding the bag for a war in which the 
 
Allies expected to be beaten. It seems to me that if we 
 
had to fight to protect our lives we would do better 
 
fighting in our own backyard. I said you know our strength 
 
what could we do if we wanted to help you all we can.
 
                                   You