NAVY DEPARTMENT
            OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
                           WASHINGTON
 
 
                                        November 12, 1940.
 
                 Memorandum for the Secretary.
 
     Referring to my very brief touch in a recent conference
 
as to the desirability of obtaining at once some light upon the
 
major decisions which the President may make for guiding our
 
future naval effort in the event of war, and in further immediate
 
preparation for war, you may recall my remarks the evening we
 
discussed War Plans for the Navy. I stated then that if
 
Britain wins decisively against Germany we could win everywhere;
 
but that if she loses the problem confronting us would be very
 
great; and, while we might not lose everywhere, we might,
 
possibly, not win anywhere.
 
     As I stated last winter on the Hill, in these circum-
 
stances we would be set back upon our haunches. Our war effort,
 
instead of being widespread, would then have to be confined to
 
the Western Hemisphere.
 
     I now wish to expand my remarks, and to present to you
 
my views concerning steps we might take to meet the situation
 
that will exist should the United States enter war either alone
 
or with allies. In this presentation, I have endeavored to
 
keep in view the political realities in our own country.