August 5, 1942                       
 
                 His Excellency Harold B. Butler,           
 
              British Minister to the United States         
 
                British Embassy, Washington, D.C.           
 
                                                            
 
 
                      Dear Mr. Butler,                      
 
                                                            
 
 
In the course of our talk the other day, you asked me to put 
      down my views on the British American situation. As this letter 
      is likely to be a long one, perhaps I should state my conclusions 
                          at the outset:                    
 
                                                            
 
 
The maximum effectiveness of democracy is needed to win. Maximum 
      effectiveness depends on real British American unity. Today, 
      there is no such unity. There never can be, until there is one 
      head, one leader, a commander-in chief absolute over the forces 
      of English-speaking democracy. That commander-in-chief is the 
                 President of the United States.            
 
                                                            
 
 
In my opinion, the British American situation is bad. I have 
      never known a time when such large sections of the American public 
      had for Britain and for what Britain is doing, so small a measure 
                           of respect.                      
 
                                                            
 
 
There is a lack of faith in our capacity to get results. There 
      is skepticism of our ability to fight. Our high command has lost