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"Dunquerque" from Oran to Toulon 
      in order to prepare her for war purposes. Such an 
 
      act would affect the balance of naval power throughout the world 
      and would affect 
 
      American interests besides our own. The points have been made 
      to Marshal Petain by 
 
      the United States Government which should have shown the Vichy 
      Government how 
 
      undesirable this step would be from the point of view of French 
      interests. His 
 
      Majesty's Government would certainly be bound to regard it as 
      a menacing act done 
 
      at Hitler's instigation and as a step in Admiral Darlan's schemes 
      for gaining 
 
      personal control over France as the Germans' trusted agent. In 
      these circumstances 
 
      His Majesty's Government would hold themselves free to take any 
      action which was 
 
      suitable against this ship either in passage or while under repair 
      in Toulon 
 
      harbour. They would greatly regret if such a situation arose 
      as they have no wish 
 
      or policy towards France other than her liberation from the German 
      yoke and the 
 
      maintenance of the integrity of the French Empire." Ends. 
      Please let me know what 
 
      you think of this, or whether you can get the matter settled 
      behind the scenes.
 
      
 
 
3. The last convoy which was attacked in the 
      Atlantic was attacked about the 29th 
 
      meridian before it met destroyer escort, and as the convoy would 
      have been at the 
 
      mercy of the U-boat for another 24 hours, the Commodore in charge 
      of the convoy 
 
      rightly ordered it to scatter. However before it was scattered 
      three ships were 
 
      torpedoed, and after it had scattered eight further ships were 
      torpedoed.