Text Version


 
                     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 
  
 
 
 
THE MAKING OF AN EXACT COPY OF THIS MESSAGE IS FORBIDDEN
 
 
 
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