SECRET
WAR DEPARTMENT
CLASSIFIED MESSAGE CENTER
INCOMING MESSAGE
PRIORITY
No 2387 April 13th, 1942
From: London
To: Milid
Returned Monday moring from weekend at Chequers which
included conversations with British Chiefs of staff, Lord
Mounbatten, General Paget, Oliver Lyttelton, A V Alexander,
Lord Leathers, Lord Churchwell and others. It appears that
our proposal will accepted in principle but relative to
aviodance of further dipersions particularly of planes
such acceptance will have to be considerably and continuously
bolstered by firmness of our stand. I am endeavoring to
secure clear comitments as to means to be made avialable for
the preparations and building up from now on of the forces
and material necessary to carry out our purpose. Virtually
every one agrees with us in principle but many if not most
hold reservations regarding this or that. Hopkins and I
will be present at full cabinet meeting tonight and with
defensive committee of the cabinet tomorrow night. I dine
with Cigs and leading army officials tonight, attend Chief
of Staff meeting tomorrow morning, lunch with King and Queen
informally Wednesday and I understand that Prime Minister
is arranging dinner for us with King and the Chiefs ostaff
I leave London Wesnesday night by rail with Prime
Minister for Salisburn plains to spend day there witnessing
various demonstrations and troop organization probably will
proceed to Portsmouth that night with PM spending Thursday
morning in the General vicinity. I hope thereafter to get
under way to North Ireland for review of troops and to
leave for home probably from vicinity of Prestwick. What is
the degree of urgency for my return to Washington? I assume
that you are keeping Secretary of War informed my cables.
I have hesitated to predict outcome of negotiations and
Hopkins has been communicating with President Direct on the
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