The President July 5, 1943 expressed his views. On my way out I had a few words with Eden and got the impression from Eden that he personally was not unsympathetic to your position and was quite satisfied to let the decision rest with you. I spent the week end at Chequers. The de Gaulle question came up a number of times and I can say with great assurance that the Prime Minister is ready to seize any opportunity that opens up in directing British Government policy or in public statements in the Rouse in which he would take full responsibility for any moves to control de Gaulle's ambitions to the point of his elimination if it comes to that. The Prime Minister was full of his speech which he has since delivered on his receiving the freedom of the City of London. He considered this a historic occasion and he put a great deal into it. He had some arguments about what he should say about China. I hope you are not too disappointed by the brevity of his reference to China. He will always refuse to picture the world reconstructed on flour great columns of which China is one, but he is becoming a hit more unbending and realistic. |