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Catalogue Reference:CAB/65/19/27
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THIS DOCUMENT IS T H E PROPERTY OF H I S BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT .
Printed
for the War Cabinet.
September
1941.
SECBET.
Copy N o .
W.M. (41)
91st Conclusions.
TO B E K E P T
UNDER
LOCK
AND KEY.
It is requested that special care m a y be taken to
ensure the secrecy of this document.
W A R C A B I N E T 91 ( 4 1 ) .
CONCLUSIONS
of a Meeting of the War Cabinet held at 1 0 , Downing
S.W. 1 , on Monday, September
8. 1 9 4 1 , at 5 P . M .
Street,
Present:
T h e E i g h t H o n . W I N S T O N S. C H U R C H I L L , M . P . , P r i m e M i n i s t e r (in the
Chair).
The R i g h t Hon. S i r J O H N ANDERSON,
L o r d P r i v y Seal.
M . P . , L o r d P r e s i d e n t of t h e Council.
The R i g h t H o n . ANTHONY EDEN, M.P., The R i g h t H o n . A. GREENWOOD, M.P.,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n
Minister without Portfolio.
Affairs.
The R i g h t H o n . L O R D BEAVERBROOK, T h e R i g h t H o n . S i r K I N G S L E Y W O O D ,
M i n i s t e r of S u p p l y .
M . P . , C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r .
The Right Hon. ERNEST BEVIN, M.P.,
M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r a n d N a t i o n a l
Service.
T h e R i g h t H o n . C. R . A T T L E E , M . P . ,
T h e following w e r e also p r e s e n t :
The Right H o n . H E R B E R T MORRISON,
M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r t h e
H o m e D e p a r t m e n t a n d M i n i s t e r of
Home Security.
T h e R i g h t H o n . V i s c o u n t CRANBORNE.
Secretary of State for Dominion
Affairs.
The R i g h t
The Right
H o n . L . S. A M E R Y ,
M.P.,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r I n d i a a n d
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r B u r m a .
The R i g h t H o n . A . V . ALEXANDER,
M . P . , F i r s t L o r d of t h e A d m i r a l t y .
Hon. LORD MOYNE,
Secre-
t a r y of S t a t e for t h e Colonies.
Captain
The Right
Hon. H .
D.
M A R G E S S O N , M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
for W a r .
The
Right
SINCLAIR,
Hon.
Bt.,
Sir
M.P.,
ARCHIBALD
Secretary of
State for A i r .
\
The R i g h t H o n . LORD LEATHERS,
M i n i s t e r of W a r T r a n s p o r t .
(Item
9.)
The R i g h t H o n . S i r D O N A L D S O M E R VELL, M . P . , A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l
(Item
Mr. H A R C O U R T J O H N S T O N E , M . P . , Secret a r y , D e p a r t m e n t of O v e r s e a s T r a d e
(Item 9 ) .
[22901]
142
The R i g h t H o n . S i r A N D R E W DUNCAN,
M . P . , P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d o f
T r a d e . (Items 7 a n d 8.)
T h e R i g h t H o n . B R E N D A N BRACKEN^
M.P., Minister of Information.
The R i g h t H o n . J A M E S STUART, M . P . ,
Joint
Parliamentary
T r e a s u r y (Item 1 0 ) .
Mr. GEOFFREY LLOYD, M.P.,
for P e t r o l e u m (Items
Secretary,
Secretary
7 and 8).
4 3
A d m i r a l of t h e F l e e t S i r D U D L E Y
P O U N D , F i r s t S e a L o r d a n d C h i e f of
N a v a l Staff.
G e n e r a l S i r J O H N D I L L , C h i e f of t h e
I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l Staff.
A i r Chief M a r s h a l S i r CHARLES F . A .
P O R T A L , C h i e f of t h e A i r Staff.
Sir O R M E SARGENT, D e p u t y UnderS e c r e t a r y of S t a t e , F o r e i g n Office.
Secretariat.
Colonel L . C. H O L L I S .
Mr.
W . D . WILKINSON.
Mr. L . F. BURGIS.
WAR
C A B I N E T 91 (41).
CONTENTS.
Minute
No.
Subject.
Page.
1.
Naval, Military and Air Operations
....
....
Air Operations:
Egypt.
High altitude bombing of enemy occupied territory.
Naval Operations:
Shipping losses.
Military Operations:
U.S.S.R.
Middle East.
....
17
2.
U n i t e d S t a t e s of A m e r i c a
....
....
German attacks on United States ships.
The Greer.
Steel Seafarer.
....
18
3.
Middle E a s t
Yugoslavia.
18
4.
Persia
....
....
....
....
Negotiations with the Persian Government regarding the handing
over of Germans.
18
5.
U.S.S.R
The Prime Ministers reply to M. Stalin's message.
Supplies.
Aluminium.
Need for increased production in the United Kingdom.
The Moscow Meeting.
Discussions on strategy.
19
6.
Atlantic Charter
Interpetation of Point I I I .
20
7.
Mexico
Resumption of diplomatic relations and settlement of the oil
dispute.
20
8.
Petroleum
Recording of journeys by motorists holding supplementary petrol
rations.
20
9.
T h e B l a c k - o u t ....
....
Report of Inter-Departmental Committee. ,
21
10.
....
....
.... '
Parliament
.....
....
....
....
....
.... Detention of a Member under Defence Regulation 18B.
....
21
Naval, Military
and Air
Operations.
(Previous
Bef erence:
W.M. (41) 89th
Conclusions,
Minute 1.)
Air Operations.
Egypt.
High Altitude
Bombing of
EnemyOccupied
Territory.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M. (41) 85th
Conclusions,
Minute 2.)
1. The Chiefs
of Staff g a v e t h e f o l l o w i n g i n f o r m a t i o n
amplification of C a b i n e t W a r R o o m R e c o r d s Nos. 7 3 3 - 7 3 6 : —
in
S u m m a r y of a i r c r a f t losses since t h e 4 t h S e p t e m b e r :—
Home
Theatre—
Enemy—
14 d e s t r o y e d .
12 p r o b a b l e .
7 damaged.
Our
Own—
13 F i g h t e r s (2 P i l o t s safe).
31 B o m b e r s .
Overseas
Theatres—
Enemy—
18 d e s t r o y e d .
14 p r o b a b l e .
18 d a m a g e d .
Our
Own—
6 destroyed.
11 d a m a g e d (10 of t h i s n u m b e r h a v i n g been d a m a g e d '
on t h e g r o u n d ) .
O n t h e p r e v i o u s n i g h t w e h a d m a d e o u r h e a v i e s t r a i d so f a r on
B e r l i n . Of 198 a i r c r a f t d e s p a t c h e d , a b o u t 150 h a d a c t u a l l y r e a c h e d
t h e objective. Of t h e 20 a i r c r a f t m i s s i n g d u r i n g t h e n i g h t ' s o p e r a ­
tions, 18 h a d been d e t a i l e d for B e r l i n . O u r bombers h a d destroyed
2 e n e m y fighters a n d p r o b a b l y a t h i r d . A n e w i n c e n d i a r y bomb h a d
been u s e d for t h e first t i m e w i t h success.
T h a t m o r n i n g 4 F l y i n g F o r t r e s s B o m b e r s h a d been d e s p a t c h e d
to a t t a c k t h e A dmiral Scheer a t Oslo. U n f o r t u n a t e l y , t h r e e of t h e s e
m a c h i n e s h a d been lost, t w o of t h e m o w i n g t o e n e m y action, t h e t h i r d
h a v i n g crashed on landing. A n investigation into the matter w a s
being made.
D u r i n g t h e n i g h t of t h e 6 t h / 7 t h S e p t e m b e r , w h e n t h e e n e m y
h a d a t t a c k e d A b u S u e i r a n d I s m a i l i a , o u r n i g h t fighters h a d
destroyed t w o e n e m y a i r c r a f t , p l u s one p r o b a b l e a n d one d a m a g e d .
I n home w a t e r s o u r a i r c r a f t h a d s u n k t h r e e m e r c h a n t vessels
a n d one flak s h i p , a n d i n t h e M i d d l e E a s t five m e r c h a n t s h i p s a n d
one d e s t r o y e r . A n e n e m y s u b m a r i n e h a d a l s o p r o b a b l y been h i t .
I n a n s w e r to a question, the Chief of the Air Staff s a i d t h a t , i n
a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e C a b i n e t ' s decision, i n s t r u c t i o n s h a d been g i v e n
t h a t t h e r e should be n o i n d i s c r i m i n a t e h i g h - a l t i t u d e b o m b i n g over
enemy-occupied f r i e n d l y c o u n t r i e s .
Naval
D u r i n g t h e p r e v i o u s f o u r d a y s 20,000 t o n s of o u r s h i p p i n g h a d
Operations.
been sunk, i n c l u d i n g 12,000 b y enemy a i r a c t i o n . A i r c r a f t h a d
Shipping Losses. d a m a g e d 13,000 t o n s .
107,000 t o n s of s h i p p i n g h a d been s u n k
during August.
A n enemy s u b m a r i n e h a d been s u n k b y a d e s t r o y e r i n t h e
Atlantic that morning.
H . M . C r u i s e r s Aurora
a n d Nigeria
h a d had an action w i t h
e n e m y forces i n a N o r w e g i a n fiord on t h e p r e v i o u s m o r n i n g , s i n k i n g
t h e Bremse, a s m a l l d e s t r o y e r , a t r a w l e r a n d one o t h e r vessel.
Military
N o r t h of K i e v t h e G e r m a n p i n c e r m o v e m e n t s s o u t h f r o m
Operations.
C h e r n i g o v a n d n o r t h - e a s t from t h e b r i d g e h e a d n e a r G a r n o s t a i p o l
U.S.S.E.
w e r e closing, t h o u g h t h e R u s s i a n s m i g h t w e l l h a v e been able t o
[22901]
B 2
Middle East.
w i t h d r a w t h e b u l k of t h e i r forces f r o m t h i s s a l i e n t . On t h e D n i e p e r
t h e G e r m a n s w e r e t h r u s t i n g n o r t h from t h e b r i d g e h e a d a t
K r e m e n t s e h u g in t h e d i r e c t i o n of L u b n i , a n d m i g h t j o i n u p w i t h
t h e G e r m a n forces p r e s s i n g s o u t h from Obolonje. T h e y m i g h t t h u s
c u t off R u s s i a n t r o o p s i n t h e K i e v sector.
N e i t h e r t h e W a r Office n o r t h e A i r M i n i s t r y h a d a n y confirma­
t i o n of t h e s t a t e m e n t m a d e by M . S t a l i n i n h i s t e l e g r a m t o t h e P r i m e
M i n i s t e r , d a t e d t h e 3 r d September, to t h e effect t h a t 3 0 - 3 4 fresh
G e r m a n d i v i s i o n s a n d a n u m b e r of t a n k s a n d a i r c r a f t h a d been
t r a n s f e r r e d f r o m t h e W e s t to t h e E a s t e r n F r o n t .
T h e r e h a d been m o r e evidence t h a t t h e G e r m a n s w e r e p l a n n i n g
a combined o p e r a t i o n i n t h e B l a c k Sea. T w o n e w G e r m a n divisions
h a d r e a c h e d t h e B a l k a n s from G e r m a n y .
I t w a s t h o u g h t t h a t a n a d d i t i o n a l I t a l i a n m o t o r i s e d division
h a d a r r i v e d a t T r i p o l i . T h e r e h a d a l s o been a n unconfirmed r e p o r t
t h a t a L o r r i e d I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t of t h e G e r m a n 5 t h A r m o u r e d
D i v i s i o n h a d been issued w i t h t r o p i c a l e q u i p m e n t .
T h e W a r C a b i n e t took n o t e of t h e above s t a t e m e n t s .
United States of
2. The First Sea Lord g a v e p a r t i c u l a r s of t h e a t t a c k by a
America.
U - b o a t on t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s d e s t r o y e r Greer on t h e 4 t h September.
German Attacks
on United
States Ships.
The Greer.
Steel Seafarer.
The Foreign
Secretary
r e f e r r e d t o t h e s i n k i n g of t h e Steel
Seafarer by e n e m y a i r c r a f t a t t h e e n t r a n c e to t h e G u l f of Suez on
t h e n i g h t of t h e 5 t h / 6 t h September. A i r b l o c k a d e w a s u n k n o w n to
international law, and the U n i t e d States Government would appear
t o h a v e a good case for d e m a n d i n g r e d r e s s .
Middle East.
3. T h e W a r C a b i n e t discussed t h e m i l i t a r y s i t u a t i o n in the
(Previous
Middle East.
Reference:
A full r e c o r d of t h e discussion is c o n t a i n e d i n t h e S e c r e t a r y ' s
W.M. (41) 73rd S t a n d a r d F i l e of W a r C a b i n e t Conclusions.
Conclusions,
The Prime
Minister
s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e p a r t p l a y e d by
Minute 2.)
Y u g o s l a v i a , a n d i n p a r t i c u l a r G e n e r a l Simovitch, in d e l a y i n g the
Yugoslavia.
G e r m a n p l a n a n d m a k i n g t h e G e r m a n s fight for t h e i r success should
n o t be overlooked.
E n c o u r a g i n g references a b o u t Y u g o s l a v i a s h o u l d be m a d e in
t h e P r e s s f r o m t i m e t o t i m e , a n d w e s h o u l d do e v e r y t h i n g possible
to r e - e q u i p Y u g o s l a v forces w h i c h w e r e fighting on o u r side.
Persia.
Negotiations
4. The Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs
s a i d t h a t the
P e r s i a n G o v e r n m e n t h a d n o t y e t s e n t a definite r e p l y t o o u r demands
with the Persian
Government
regarding the
handing over of
Germans.
(Previous
Reference:
"W.M. (41) 89th
Conclusions,
Minute 2.)
t h a t t h e G e r m a n c o m m u n i t y should be h a n d e d over t o u s . I t looked
a s t h o u g h t h e y w e r e m a k i n g every effort t o s p i n o u t t h e discussions,
w o u l d be v e r y u n s a t i s f a c t o r y if o n l y a l i m i t e d n u m b e r of Germans
were rounded up, and the rest got away.
A t t e n t i o n w a s d r a w n t o A n g o r a t e l e g r a m N o . 2176, which
r e p o r t e d a G e r m a n - t h r e a t t h a t , if w e i n t e r n e d t h e G e r m a n s in
P e r s i a , G e r m a n y w o u l d i n t e r n B r i t i s h s u b j e c t s i n t h e Channel
I s l a n d s . D o u b t s w e r e e x p r e s s e d w h e t h e r i t w a s necessary to pay
m u c h a t t e n t i o n t o t h i s c o m m u n i c a t i o n , so f a r a s o u r P e r s i a n policy
s concerned.
^
A d i s c u s s i o n followed, w h i c h is r e c o r d e d i n t h e Secretary's
S t a n d a r d F i l e of W a r C a b i n e t Conclusions.
x t
w
a
U.S.S.R.
(Previous
Eeference:
W.M. (41) 90th
Conclusions,
Minute 3.)
The Prime
Minister's reply
to M. Stalin's
Message.
Supplies.
Aluminium.
5. The Prime Minister
r e a d t h e m e s s a g e ( t e l e g r a m N o . 1202
to Moscow) w h i c h h e h a d s e n t i n r e p l y to M . S t a l i n ' s p e r s o n a l
m e s s a g e ( t e l e g r a m s Nos. 1091, 1092 a n d 1093 from Moscow)
r e g a r d i n g t h e p r e s e n t p o s i t i o n on t h e R u s s i a n f r o n t .
On t h e q u e s t i o n of s u p p l i e s , t h e m e s s a g e s t a t e d t h a t we h a d
never t h o u g h t of r e q u i r i n g p a y m e n t f r o m t h e Soviet G o v e r n m e n t .
A n y a s s i s t a n c e w h i c h we could"give h a d b e t t e r be on t h e same basis
of c o m r a d e s h i p a s t h e L e a s e - L e n d Bill.
The P r i m e M i n i s t e r s message was unanimously approved.
A f u r t h e r m e s s a g e w o u l d be r e q u i r e d i n r e p l y t o M . S t a l i n ' s
r e q u e s t for 30,000 t o n s of a l u m i n i u m a t t h e b e g i n n i n g of October.
T h i s request bore no relation to realities. W e h a d to determine how
m u c h a l u m i n i u m w e could m a k e a v a i l a b l e for R u s s i a , h a v i n g r e g a r d
t o o u r a v a i l a b l e stocks, to t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s of t h e R o y a l A i r Force,
a n d to t h e s h i p p i n g s i t u a t i o n .
I t w a s a g r e e d i n discussion t h a t t h e R u s s i a n need w a s so
p r e s s i n g t h a t t h e m a t t e r could n o t be left over for decision a t t h e
f o r t h c o m i n g m e e t i n g i n Moscow. I t m i g h t be possible, a t some r i s k
t o o u r o w n p o s i t i o n , t o m a k e 5,000 t o n s of a l u m i n i u m a v a i l a b l e for
R u s s i a i n October. A f t e r t h a t a s m a l l e r a m o u n t could be m a d e
a v a i l a b l e m o n t h l y for, say, six m o n t h s . T h e m e s s a g e t o M . S t a l i n
w o u l d h a v e t o b r i n g o u t t h e l i m i t i n g f a c t o r s i n such a w a y a s t o
convince M . S t a l i n t h a t w e w e r e h e l p i n g h i m t o t h e u t m o s t of o u r
ability.
The W a r C a b i n e t Invited the P r i m e Minister, in consultation with the
M i n i s t e r of S u p p l y , to settle t h e t e r m s of t h e r e p l y to be
sent t o M . S t a l i n ' s r e q u e s t for a l u m i n i u m .
N o w t h a t w e w e r e c o m m i t t e d to s e n d i n g s u p p l i e s on a l a r g e
Need for
scale t o R u s s i a , i t w a s e s s e n t i a l for t h e S u p p l y M i n i s t e r s a n d t h e
increased
M
i n i s t e r of L a b o u r a n d N a t i o n a l Service t o s t a r t f o r t h w i t h a
production in
c a m p a i g n for i n c r e a s e d p r o d u c t i o n in t h i s c o u n t r y . B o t h sides of
the United
Kingdom.
i n d u s t r y w o u l d h a v e t o p u t f o r t h a n a d d i t i o n a l effort t o fill t h e g a p
i n t h e s u p p l i e s r e q u i r e d by o u r o w n A r m e d F o r c e s .
The Prime Minister s a i d t h a t h e p r o p o s e d t o s t a t e i n t h e H o u s e
The Moscow
of C o m m o n s t h a t n o t i m e h a d been o r w o u l d be lost i n t h e d e s p a t c h
Meeting;,
of o u r M i s s i o n , b u t t h a t i t m u s t a w a i t t h e a r r i v a l of t h e U n i t e d
(Previous
States delegates. I n the meanwhile, i m p o r t a n t supplies were being
Eeference:
W.M. (41) 87th d e s p a t c h e d to R u s s i a . H e w o u l d a d d t h a t t h e M i n i s t e r of S u p p l y
Conclusions,
w o u l d t a k e c h a r g e of a l l n o n - d i p l o m a t i c M i s s i o n s i n Moscow.
Minute 4.)
The Minister
of Supply
u n d e r t o o k to s u p p l y t h e P r i m e
M i n i s t e r w i t h a list of t h e p e r s o n n e l a c c o m p a n y i n g h i m to Moscow.
Discussions on
The Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs
drew attention to
Strategy.
Moscow t e l e g r a m No. 1109. I t seemed u n d e s i r a b l e t o r u l e o u t i n
a d v a n c e a l l discussion of s t r a t e g i c a l m a t t e r s a t t h e Moscow M e e t i n g .
I t w a s s u g g e s t e d i n discussion t h a t i t w o u l d be u n n e c e s s a r y t o
send s p e c i a l r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s , t o Moscow t o d i s c u s s s t r a t e g y . G e n e r a l .
I s m a y c o u l d r e f e r h o m e for i n s t r u c t i o n s if t h e R u s s i a n s r a i s e d
s t r a t e g i c a l p o i n t s on w h i c h h e o r o u r M i s s i o n i n Moscow n e e d e d
guidance.
'
The W a r C a b i n e t A g r e e d t h a t s t r a t e g i c a l m a t t e r s c o u l d n o t be r u l e d o u t i n
a d v a n c e from discussion a t t h e Moscow M e e t i n g , b u t t h a t
special representatives need not accompany, the Mission
for this purpose.
6. The Prime Minister
r e a d t h e d r a f t of t h e s t a t e m e n t which
h e p r o p o s e d t o m a k e o n t h e first d a y of t h e Session on P o i n t I I I of
Interpretation of t h e A t l a n t i c C h a r t e r .
H e u n d e r t o o k t o consider c e r t a i n f u r t h e r
amendments
Point III.
s u g g e s t e d by t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for I n d i a a n d B u r m a .
(Previous
Atlantic
Charter.
Reference:
W.M. (41) 89th
Conclusions,
Minute 3.)
Mexico.
(Previous
Reference :
W.M. (41) 87th
Conclusions,
Minute 3.)
Resumption of
Diplomatic
Relations and
Settlement of
the Oil Dispute.
The W a r C a b i n e t A p p r o v e d t h e g e n e r a l lines of t h e p r o p o s e d s t a t e m e n t .
[ A copy of the s t a t e m e n t , as m a d e by the P r i m e M i n i s t e r i n the
H o u s e of Commons o n t h e 9 t h S e p t e m b e r , 1941, is a p p e n d e d to these
conclusions.]
7. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a M e m o r a n d u m by the
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for F o r e i g n Affairs ( W . P . (41) 215) p r o p o s i n g
t h a t H i s M a j e s t y ' s C h a r g e d ' A f f a i r e s i n W a s h i n g t o n should be
i n s t r u c t e d to i n f o r m t h e S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t t h a t we w e r e p r e p a r e d
to consider f a v o u r a b l y t h e r e s u m p t i o n of d i p l o m a t i c r e l a t i o n s w i t h
Mexico. I t w a s n o t considered p r a c t i c a b l e to m a k e t h i s step con­
d i t i o n a l on t h e B r i t i s h oil c o m p a n i e s o b t a i n i n g b r o a d l y t h e same
t e r m s a s the A m e r i c a n oil c o m p a n i e s , b u t t h e E m b a s s y w o u l d ask
t h e S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t for t h e fullest possible i n f o r m a t i o n a s t o the
k i n d of s e t t l e m e n t w h i c h t h e y w e r e i m p o s i n g on t h e A m e r i c a n
companies.
The President
of the Board of Trade a n d the Secretary
for
Petroleum
r e m i n d e d t h e W a r C a b i n e t t h a t o u r oil i n t e r e s t s in
M e x i c o w e r e t h r e e t i m e s a s l a r g e a s those of t h e U n i t e d States.
T h e U n i t e d S t a t e s s e t t l e m e n t w i t h M e x i c o w o u l d p r o b a b l y include
a l a r g e loan, o u t of w h i c h t h e A m e r i c a n oil c o m p a n i e s would
i n d i r e c t l y be compensated. A s w e could n o t g i v e a s i m i l a r loan, it
d i d n o t look a s t h o u g h t h e A m e r i c a n n e g o t i a t i o n s w o u l d be of much
u s e t o u s . I n these c i r c u m s t a n c e s , o u g h t we n o t t o m a i n t a i n our
p r e s e n t policy of m a k i n g t h e r e s u m p t i o n of d i p l o m a t i c relations
d e p e n d e n t u p o n a s e t t l e m e n t o n lines r e a s o n a b l y s a t i s f a c t o r y to
ourselves ?
The Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs
a g r e e d t h a t we
o u g h t n o t to sacrifice t h e B r i t i s h c o m p a n i e s . T h e p r o s p e c t s of their
o b t a i n i n g a s a t i s f a c t o r y s e t t l e m e n t o u g h t to i m p r o v e a f t e r we h a d
r e s u m e d d i p l o m a t i c r e l a t i o n s w i t h Mexico, since we m i g h t hope to
benefit by t h e good offices of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s G o v e r n m e n t i n our
o w n oil n e g o t i a t i o n s .
The W a r C a b i n e t A u t h o r i s e d t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for F o r e i g n Affairs to
proceed on t h e lines of p a r a g r a p h s 3 a n d 8 of W . P . (41) 215,
subject to i t s b e i n g m a d e clear t o the U n i t e d States
G o v e r n m e n t t h a t , w h i l e h o p i n g t h a t w e m a y c o u n t on the
U n i t e d S t a t e s G o v e r n m e n t s a s s i s t a n c e i n o u r negotiations
w i t h t h e M e x i c a n G o v e r n m e n t , w e w i l l n o t necessarily
a c c e p t t h e same t e r m s a s t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s oil companies.
8. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a M e m o r a n d u m by the
L o r d P r e s i d e n t of t h e Council ( W . P . (G) (41) 90), i n w h i c h i t was
p o i n t e d out t h a t t h e r e w a s n o legal s a n c t i o n for the ' ' advice ' ' given
by t h e P e t r o l e u m D e p a r t m e n t t h a t m o t o r i s t s receiving supplemen­
holding Supple­ t a r y p e t r o l r a t i o n s should keep a log of t h e i r j o u r n e y s . "The Lord
mentary Petrol P r e s i d e n t s C o m m i t t e e r e c o m m e n d e d t h e m a k i n g of a n Order
Rations.
e m p o w e r i n g t h e M i n i s t e r t o d i r e c t t h a t specified classes of motorists
s h o u l d keep specified records. Some m o t o r i s t s w e r e a l r e a d y keeping
logs, a n d t h e P e t r o l e u m D e p a r t m e n t h a d called on a percentage of
a p p l i c a n t s t o p r o d u c e t h e i r logs i n connection w i t h t h e issue of
further supplementary rations.
Petroleum.
Recording of
Journeys by
Motorists
I n discussion, t h e a s s u r a n c e w a s g i v e n t h a t i t w a s n o t i n t e n d e d
t o c r e a t e a n e w p u n i s h a b l e offence. T h e r e q u i r e m e n t t o k e e p a log
w o u l d n o t be u n i v e r s a l . T h e police w o u l d have n o a u t h o r i t y to s t o p
m o t o r i s t s on t h e r o a d a n d a s k t h e m to p r o d u c e t h e i r logs.
T h e W a r C a b i n e t accepted t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s of t h e
L o r d P r e s i d e n t s C o m m i t t e e a s s e t o u t i n W . P . (G) (41) 90.
The Blackout.
9. T h e W a r C a b i n e t a p p r o v e d t h e E e p o r t
Report of Inter - D e p a r t m e n t a l C o m m i t t e e ( W . P . (G) (41) 91).
Departmental
Committee.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M. (41) 87th
Conclusions,
Minute 9.)
of
the
Inter-
Parliament.
10. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a M e m o r a n d u m by t h e
Detention of a
H o m e S e c r e t a r y ( W . P . (41) 213) s t a t i n g t h a t h e h a d received r e p r e ­
Member under
s e n t a t i o n s t o t h e effect t h a t t h e r e w a s a s t r o n g f e e l i n g i n t h e H o u s e
Defence
of C o m m o n s t h a t , if a M e m b e r w e r e d e t a i n e d u n d e r E e g u l a ­
Regulation 18B.
t i o n 18B, h e o u g h t to be g i v e n a r i g h t t o h a v e h i s case i n v e s t i g a t e d
by a C o m m i t t e e of t h e H o u s e r a t h e r t h a n b y t h e e x i s t i n g A d v i s o r y
Committee.
The W a r C a b i n e t A c c e p t e d the r e c o m m e n d a t i o n of t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y
( W . P . (41) 213) t h a t t h e e x i s t i n g p r o c e d u r e should r e m a i n
unaltered.
Great
George Street, S.W.
September
8, 1941.
1,
APPENDIX.
POINT III
Extract
from
OF T H E A T L A N T I C
CHARTER.
Statement
by the Prime Minister
in the House
September
9, 1941 (Hansard,
Cols. 6 8 - 6 9 ) .
of
Commons,
[See M i n u t e 6.]
T H E p u r p o s e of t h e J o i n t D e c l a r a t i o n , signed by P r e s i d e n t Roosevelt a n d
myself on t h e 1 2 t h A u g u s t , i s s t a t e d i n t h e P r e a m b l e to be :—
" T o m a k e k n o w n c e r t a i n common p r i n c i p l e s i n t h e n a t i o n a l policies of
o u r r e s p e c t i v e c o u n t r i e s on w h i c h t h e y base t h e i r h o p e s for a better f u t u r e
for t h e w o r l d . "
N o w o r d s a r e needed t o e m p h a s i s e t h e f u t u r e p r o m i s e h e l d o u t t o t h e w o r l d by
such a J o i n t D e c l a r a t i o n by t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d G r e a t B r i t a i n . I need only
d r a w attention, for instance, to the p h r a s e in p a r a g r a p h 6—
" a f t e r t h e final d e s t r u c t i o n of t h e N a z i t y r a n n y "
t o show t h e p r o f o u n d a n d v i t a l c h a r a c t e r of t h e solemn a g r e e m e n t i n t o w h i c h we
h a v e j o i n t l y e n t e r e d . Q u e s t i o n s h a v e been asked, a n d w i l l no d o u b t be asked, a s
t o e x a c t l y w h a t is i m p l i e d by t h i s or t h a t p o i n t , a n d e x p l a n a t i o n s have been
i n v i t e d . I t is a w i s e r u l e t h a t w h e n t w o p a r t i e s h a v e a g r e e d a s t a t e m e n t one of
t h e m shall not, t h e r e a f t e r , w i t h o u t c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e o t h e r , seek t o p u t special
o r s t r a i n e d i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s u p o n t h i s o r t h a t p a s s a g e . I p r o p o s e , therefore, to
s p e a k t o - d a y only in a n exclusive sense.
F i r s t , t h e J o i n t D e c l a r a t i o n does n o t t r y t o e x p l a i n how t h e b r o a d principles
p r o c l a i m e d by i t a r e t o be a p p l i e d t o e a c h a n d every case, w h i c h w i l l have to be
d e a l t w i t h w h e n t h e w a r comes t o a n e n d . I t w o u l d n o t be w i s e for us, a t this
m o m e n t , t o be d r a w n i n t o l a b o r i o u s discussions on how i t is to fit all t h e manifold
p r o b l e m s w i t h w h i c h w e s h a l l be faced a f t e r t h e w a r . Secondly, the J o i n t
D e c l a r a t i o n does n o t q u a l i f y in a n y w a y t h e v a r i o u s s t a t e m e n t s of policy which
h a v e been m a d e f r o m t i m e t o t i m e a b o u t t h e development of c o n s t i t u t i o n a l govern­
m e n t i n I n d i a , B u r m a or o t h e r p a r t s of t h e B r i t i s h E m p i r e . W e a r e pledged by
t h e D e c l a r a t i o n of A u g u s t , 1940, to h e l p I n d i a t o o b t a i n free a n d e q u a l p a r t n e r ­
s h i p in t h e B r i t i s h C o m m o n w e a l t h w i t h ourselves, subject, of course, to t h e fulfil­
m e n t of o b l i g a t i o n s a r i s i n g from o u r l o n g connection w i t h I n d i a a n d our
r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s t o i t s m a n y creeds, r a c e s a n d i n t e r e s t s . B u r m a also i s covered by
o u r considered policy of e s t a b l i s h i n g B u r m e s e s e l f - g o v e r n m e n t a n d by the
measures already in progress.
A t t h e A t l a n t i c m e e t i n g , w e h a d in mind,
p r i m a r i l y , t h e r e s t o r a t i o n of t h e sovereignty, s e l f - g o v e r n m e n t a n d n a t i o n a l life
of t h e S t a t e s a n d n a t i o n s of E u r o p e now u n d e r t h e N a z i yoke, a n d t h e principles
g o v e r n i n g a n y a l t e r a t i o n s i n t h e t e r r i t o r i a l b o u n d a r i e s w h i c h m a y h a v e to be made.
So t h a t i s q u i t e a s e p a r a t e problem f r o m t h e p r o g r e s s i v e evolution of self­
g o v e r n i n g i n s t i t u t i o n s i n t h e r e g i o n s a n d peoples w h i c h o w e allegiance to the
B r i t i s h C r o w n . W e h a v e m a d e d e c l a r a t i o n s on these m a t t e r s w h i c h a r e complete
i n themselves, free f r o m a m b i g u i t y a n d r e l a t e d t o t h e c o n d i t i o n s a n d circum­
s t a n c e s of t h e t e r r i t o r i e s a n d peoples affected. T h e y w i l l be f o u n d to be entirely
i n h a r m o n y w i t h t h e h i g h conception of freedom a n d j u s t i c e w h i c h i n s p i r e d the
J o i n t Declaration.