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C A B I N E T 2 (39).
CONCLUSIONS
of a Meeting of the War Cabinet\ heldI at10-Downing Street,
S.W. 1, on Monday, September 4, 1939, at 11-30 A.M.
--A?
'
P r e s e n t ,
:
,
;
: - v v , r
The Right Hon. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN, M.P., Prime Minister (in the Chair).
The Right Hon. Sir JOHN SIMON, K.C.,
M.P., Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The Right Hon. VISCOUNT
Secretary of
Affairs..,.;--'.,.-
State
^
for
HALIFAX,
Foreign
Right
Hon.
WINSTON
S.
Admiral of the Fleet the Right Hon. The
CHURCHILL, M.P., First Lord of the
L O R P CHATFIELD, Minister for Co­
Admiralty.
ordihatiofi'of Defence.
The
Right
Hon. L.
HORE-BELISHAJ
M.P., Secretary of State for War.
The Right Hon. Sir SAMUEL HOARE,
BtijTM.P., Lord Privy Seal.
The Right Hon. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD,
M.P., Secretary of State for Air.
The
Right
Hon.
LORD
HANKEY,
Minister without Portfolio.
The following were also present:
The Right Hon. ANTHONY EDEN, M.P.,
The Right Eton, S i r JOHN ANDERSON,
The Right Hon. W A L T E R
The- - Right,
Secretary' of State for Dominion
Affairs (Items 1 - 1 0 ) .
M . P . , Secretary of State for the
Home Department and Minister for
Home Security (Item 1 1 ) .
The Right Hon. JOHN C O L V I L L E , : M . P . ,
The Right Hon. W ^ S. MORRISON, M . P . ,
Secretary of State for Scotland
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lan­
(Item 1 1 ) .
caster (Item 1 1 ) .
-'
'
E . ELLIOT,.
M.P., Minister of Health (Item 1 1 ) .
Sir
HORACE
J . WILSON,
Permanent
Hon.. ERNEST
--BROWN,
M.P.,.Minister ofLabour (I tern 1 1 ) .
A i r Chief Marshal Sir CYRIL N E W A L L ,
Chief ofI the A i r Staff (Items 1 - 1 0 ) .
Secretary to the Treasury.
General.
Sir W . EDMUND . IRONSIDE,
Admiral of the -Fleet Sir DUDLEY.
Chief of the Imperial General Staff
POUND,. First Sea ihord/and Chief of
' /Pfems-l-ldj).' :V. --'-''r ' ' V:-'-' ' . ­
.' the Ifaval otsw. (Items 1-10).
' ' ' ' --Bagadier/J. N. KENNEDY, ;/ SPepuiy.
:. - ' "-':
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Dirssfcs-- o f --.Mi- lta^'--;,Pg3^Mons, -. '
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:
CONTENTS.
Subject.
Turkey
'-Z'.
4
:
TheFar Eastern Situation
.i.
Eire
...'­
' ... .- ­ ... :'
...
...
;..
.­.
...
..i
...
Report on the A i r SituationOperations on 3rd September
...
. . . . . .
Operations contemplated on 4th September
. . . . . .
...
...
Sinking of Steamship Athenia and Steamship Blairbeg
Army Situation—
...
8 . Arrangements
-12
...
...
.:.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
. . . . . . . . .
13
i, 13
18
18
to provide Ministers' outside.' the W a r
Purchase of Neutral Shipping
. . . . . .
,...
...
IS
...
...
...
...
14'
... ,
...
...
...
..." ­
....
...
...
14
14
...
...
...
14
Financial Measures-^
Exchange Control
Gold'-Reserves...­
11,
...
...
Cabinet with Information
10
... ..
'
A.D.G.B. and Field Force
Military Situation in Poland
9
y
Naval Situation—
Convoy System
7
12
12
Inter-Allied Operations in Support of Poland ... .
6
..
Attitude of the Dominions—
' South-Africa
5
...
...
...
National Segistration-­
: Food Rationing
..;
12
Closing of Theatres and Cinemas
...
13
Appointment of Home, Policy Committee
...
14
...
...
ji
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2.oi '
i& v,7i,'s to Sioii Imtoncsfe oa
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SttHte
Jtilo
wl
v' ifiiWlSs^
wpi
luojffj,. The aaiy o W i y ' which w ^ o m i l d j ^ at C ^ m p y would be
;
r
considerations,"although we should^ of course, make the best arrange­
ment/posgi^./- 0v'-.':-''-'
' Cy:' -'./'''. ^ '" . : .
1
T h e \ W a r / C ^ f e ^ f c : .
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(a) that on military as well as political grounds it was of the
utmost importance to conclude the Agreement with
,'^iurk^
':.y.;^l/:\ : -' ' '';."'V;
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in consul ta­
with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, should
arrange for, the despatch" of a.telegram to His"Majesty s­
'Ambassador - at.:' Ankara explaining the - diteiitlties
regarding ,a gold, loan to" Turkey,-, and "the various- ways
in;which-,we.c0nid' afford,help to,THrkey,:,and instructing
him, to"ascertain- ttie:terms: pn;':wjuqhV;TuTkey, could -be
induced. t o s i g n thp ^
­
;
;V :
?
' : A
short discussiontook-place on:the.position-'of Italy,'of
which the main points were as ^follows: There was good reason to
believe that Mussolini was as anxious toi avoid: becoming involved
in.war against iis as-, he. was, to keep -,out;of. a-, war. with -Germany/
I f / w e ,issued:.a,n ultimatum -.demanding;,thiat:,he. should show his
h a n d a s a-neutoah..- iifc /iwjiiMl.merely throw ham. into £h%.ai3Q0,.G£
to "go /now' /than.,she had'. i%'; lillr:
before she would be induced to throw in her lot with us, desirable
as this ultimate object might be, with all its consequences regarding
fleet dispositions in the Mediterranean and the ability to tighten
the blockade on Germany. Any rationing scheme to be imposed on
Italy
-Ministry. of,;
Economic Warfare took up the question of rationing Italy, due
regard would have to be given to tbe political aspect.
;
:
;
r
-
The W a r Cabinet took note of this statement, and agreed
,/:/ . - ; VlfflS^i-iSfpr^
Economic Warfare for rationing Italy was put into
'^^l^.^ga^iipi,. :
:B$ffiiy$ee wap ;i9f^:ixt. t g % ' j ^ t i o i i of Japan and to the
:
.
Previous".
M" i Hp
neutrality question, that it j^as pyoibable' tha^ Parliament wduld pe
dissolved, and tfeo a gaaer.! s & o l o n - c ^ .c/c pcee.
;
.W,M.:(89).,'lsi
-Conclusions,Minute 5.)
South Africa.
Eire.
Eire had,declared her neutrality, and her attitude was set out
In a message A a t ' had, appeared i n T h e : T i m e s -lhap:M&tmmg.
Wo
more recent information was available, tn this connection, the
importance of the availability of South Irish ports, e.g., Berehaven,
as a base for naval forces, was stressed.
5. The Chief of the Air Staff made a statement on the opera­
tions on the previous night under two headings: (a) operations
against German ships reported in the North Sea, (6) dropping of
(Previous
leaflets.
As to the latter, during the night aircraft had distributed
Reference:
propaganda
leaflets over Hamburg, Bremen and the Ruhr.
One
W.M.
(39), 1st
aircraft was at present missing. They had encountered no fighters,
Conclusions,
and only ineffective anti-aircraft fire. There had been considerable
Minute 2.)
confusion caused by reports from different sources in Holland of the
Operations on
passage of aircraft said to be approaching Great Britain, and some
3rd September. of these might have been aircraft returning from dropping leaflets.
Their courses had been studied, and it was certain that they had not
flown
over Holland. Further reconnaissances had been ordered for
Operations con­
to-day, to discover the whereabouts of the German Fleet, and
templated on
4th September. bombers were standing by. The Advanced Air Striking Force was
in France, and nearly ready to operate, though at reduced intensity.
ISspjBS cm t l a
JUr Situation.
The W a r Cabinet took note of this statement.
Inter-Allied
Operations in
Support of
Poland.
The Chief of the A ir Staff said that he had been presesd by the
French to employ the A i r Striking Force in collaboration with the
French Army. He was opposed to any such action at a time when
I t was
the French Army was not undertaking active operations.
important to conserve the resources of the A i r Striking Force; so
that it would be ready to meet any great emergency, such as heavy
air attack on this country, or an attempted break-through in France.
:
The First Lord of the Admiralty pointed out that the main
German effort was concentrated against Poland, and every means
possible should be employed to relieve the pressures This could be
done by operations against the Siegfried Line, which was at present
thinly held.
The burden of such operations would fall on the
French Army and our A i r Force.
It was generally agreed that a combined plan for an operation
against Germany to relieve the pressure, on Poland was a vital
necessity, and that the Chiefs of Staff should make immediate
contact with.General Gamelin,. with a-view to concerting fee. wlim
of the French and British Forces. It was thought that, a
should be despatched forthwith to General Gameiin, arilHta
the Chief of the A i r Stan anc.
Chief oi &a
"3N
Staff should come over to-France to.meet him that afterhcon for a
fort
imm
Bf, .
tElll
wMcih £ihey h
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suggested tc the Chief oi the Air Staff tcil a plam
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(1) That the Chk&a of Stal ohopld at ones see Gsaeral O-aaaoMffl,
(2) That as soon as the Chiefs of Staff had,agreed upon the
inter-allied plan of operations, the question of an early
meeting of the Supreme W a r Council should be
considered.
Naval StaaMom,,
Sinking of
S/S Athenia
and S/S
Blairbeg. -
Convoy System.
-FINALS?
SStaafrfeEio
A.D,G.B. and
Field FOrce.
Military situa­
tion in Poland.
6. The First Lord 6j' thtVAdmirapi^reported that steamship
Aihenia, outward bound with 300 Americans oh board had been sunk
200 miles North-West of Ireland at 2 P.M. on the 3rd September, 1939.
I t was understood that the passengers and crew were in the ship's
boats. Two destroyers were hastening to the rescue and should be
near the scene. The occurrence should have a helpful effect as
regards public opinion in the United States. .
The steamship Blairbeg had been sunk 70 miles North-West of
Ireland. H.M.S; Reriown had detached her anti-submarine escort
of two destroyers to the rescue.
The W a r Cabinet were informed that the routeing of merchant
ships was in force, but the convoy system had not yet been started.
Reference was made to the statement in the Joint Anglo-French
Declaration that we should abide by the Submarine Protocol of 1936.
Germany was one of the Powers which had-adhered to the Protocol.
7. The Chief of the Imperial General Staff reported on the
position as regards the air defences of Great Britain and the date
of arrival in France of the Field Force.
The Chief of the Imperial General Staff gave the W a r Cabinet
a picture of the Military situation in Poland, as he saw it. The con­
centration of as many as 32 German divisions in Slovakia had come
as a surprise. The country between Slovakia, and Poland was
extremely difficult for military operations, and presented adminis­
trative problems of great magnitude. If the Germans were able to
carry out their plan; the-Poles wouid have to face an attack in
enormous strength from the South. \
The Chiefof the. Imperial General.Staff ex
personal
view that the crushing of Poland ^by Germany in a few weeks was
most improbable.
. 4 ­
. . 8, The P r % e Minister
supplying
to provide
information as to the situation to Ministers who were not members
iBJJIlllifJJit,.. :-..5^y(^^^f .CaMn$t , One suggestion would be that weekly appre­
ddejtSid^ai
- c ^ i b i ^ on ,th$; situation should be prepared -laf the Chiefs of Staff.
Another suggestion was that occasional Meetings should be held
off !&iffi^&Si ;,to-inform them of the position,'
Z Sh
. z:-r aio:is zavt, Tfith approval, and the W a r Cabinet,
;
v
;
;
3
iitot'^"t&i'^arii of
Tr&diE
10. The ChomeeUmr of the Exchequer said
(Dhnamorl Eiad nowv been established, and- that i t was intended
G^idfclMA. aiB"-Ddlar rate ^
afejnt 4 D o l l a r to the Pound. H i s
EflhJssBy^s CSo^etniEjanlfc ^oasuM new he the market, and would say at.
what sate" we would hay and sell. Dollars. I f "the Pound-was7kept
at % figure below 4 IMfflass, v e might exasperate the United States
and' there wonH DEB Q"HD& of & sharp rise in prices.
;
;
The ChomeeUmr of tike Exchequer said that it was proposed
shortly to take certain steps in regard to our gold reserves, which
fa ffiqpMBEd to the W a r Cabinet. These steps would be taken unde?
ffloifeqgsdl
l i j
U5E2IEE2 Bksgplatlons made under- the
E f c s i g t E C ^ Pascjisxs (P^HSEEB]) Act.
TTGEE. Wair CdMoc^l tta£k mote of this statement.
p.'-' *
11- TheWarCabinet had before thema Joint Memorandum by
Minister of Wwjfth and A e Secretary of State for Scotland
" , 192(39)1, in which a decision was asked for on certain matters
; in eonnes&ien with the National Registration Bill now before
tthff Wiping gplF Connnons.
W a r (&MK£5,
XMM
informed that the salient points
(a) fife
B E M s i E i z E j d l a M a m osf
tSse -Minister of Healtih and the Sec-
ISMKSRJ d£ State for Scotland that National Registration
Day shoald he fined for the Friday in the fifth week from
the present date, viz., the 6th October:
(a) the reeannnendaiianaf the Chancellor of the Duchy, of Lan­
( E a s t e
(Snft Uanril EkAionlmg (which was -ah" essential
fe3fia!MB of Food Control) should be brought into fdrck in
tgksee weelks FMM £tsfae present date.
"
;
The suggestion was node that it might be possible, to
National Jfegistrafion and Food fiationing into operation simul"
fewmrfy,
5m rajfefln ESSQII tfflne inafeoduction of Food Bationing would
he greatly sunpjMed.
After discussion it was agreed that Food
"jLg
( B n M uuti I k e p i ^ p c E s d long enough to make
JSMMSKASSAM. of the two measures possible. .
The Mmtster of HesMSt. informed Ms colfeagues ihat it was not
itsom reinaheany refereade to the gu^ioh--of ^ food rationing
d\\M\T?M^ fSts U - s s g 2 csiff tfS J O s f i E i o O . registration Bill.'
N '..
The W a r Calnnetngresd : ""
$ ) that Halifual Jfagiiijy BIHIJI --Day should be fixed fo? Ifche
ffiSilisj '3natitsIMliQf T3siiiiE;&
-
(ii),to eicsflls? ai' a l i t e r ^ d i ^ i i f l ^
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c3 . - ML' M e e s - S S E N N Z S ^ O J M F L M F E S A , , - . A . . S G E N M - ; X&mslXX/ - - o f ; Wai?..
feiiEBS' (tyMclh mmagM lbs* aaESM '.fcg' g s k a - Policy. -Gccs^tXss) shdiaM'
fee s e £ I M PtootiSEB^fejf-ffill dtarassllaic questions which. REOTE-edfeteco­
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- importance that they wcMrid.(0)lffliisSTOse call:.for consideration bj the
Cabinet. The Committee should'' have a- wide -discretion In dealing
. fisaily with q^stions on wMeh agreement was reached, amid shoiald
'*Bfef-to the IWar Cabinet only ,suchlarge "questions of policy as
required Cabinet Unction or questions on -which -they had been
unable to reach agreement.
The Some Policy: Committee would
deal with all the' SOCIAL services, including:education,;: and?other
domestic topics such as the maintenance of trade and industry and
agricultura.
Perhaps the most important functions of the Com­
mittee would be in connection with the attitude of labour; it must be
anticipated that considerable political importance w6uld be attached
T H R O U G L M M T - the war to the wage sjLtuation (especially in relation to
the question of profits, cost of living, &c.J.
Acute questions would also arise in connection with any
measure for the conscription of labour that might be decided upon.
The Prime Minister said that the new Committee would, in
fact, deal with all questions affecting the Home.Front other than the
questions directly related to. Civil' Defence' Which would be dealt ­
with by the Home Security Committee:
I n a Word; the Committee would be given the task of consider­
ing the e f f e c t on general W a r Cabinet policy of any; new domestic
requirement that might arise.:
There would be work for the Committee in the near future in
G a s a s s j t i o n with the issue of the Regulations under the Emergency
Powers (Defence) Act. Such Regulations ought to be examined by
a body wifJi-a geiseral viewpoint.
The W a r Cabinet agreed:—
To appoint a Home Policy Committee consisting of the
following:—
.. . The I ^ D f f d L Pri^JSsal (ssa the Chair).
,
ffe 1 ^ (diaMsfc'
.,
'. ' '"'-''' :
:
Ss"^^iii^Ssx-iiCC.j,i!y-a!Qd-Minister of Home Security.
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AtSNjEX.
Secret.)
Tp be sent by War Office in cypher to Military Attache in Paris.
F O L L O W I N G for General Gamelin
" British W a r Cabinet are very desirous of co-operating at once in any
effective military and air operations against the German forces on the
Western Front. They therefore consider it vitalthat^immediate agreement
should be reached between the Franco-British Military and A i r Authorities­
as to the part which their respective forces are to play.
" T h e Chief of the Imperial General Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff
will arrive in Paris this afternoon to discuss such arrangements with you
personally. It is hoped that British Chiefs of Staff will be able to return
here to-night with a view to placing immediate proposals before the British
W a r Cabinet, and that similarly-you will be able to place agreed proposals
before your Government at once. Meanwhile the British W a r Cabinet trust
that the French A i r Force will refrain from any action until decisions have
been reached as to the policy for the use of the Air Forces. It is hoped that
this will be concerted as the result of this afternoon's meeting between
i t
yourself and the British Chiefs of Staff."
;
(Sighed)
Approved by the. Prime Minister 1 P.M.
(Initialled)
September 4, 1939.
H. L. I.
H. L. I S M A Y .
IP