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T H I S DOCUMENT I S T H E PROPERTY OP H I S BRITANNIC M A J E S T V S GOVERNMENT
Printed
for the War Cabinet.
February 1940.
SECRET.
Copy N o .
W.M. (40)
42nd Conclusions.
TO
B E
K E P T
UNDER
LOCK
A N D K E Y .
I t is r e q u e s t e d t h a t special c a r e m a y be t a k e n to
e n s u r e t h e secreoy of this document.
WAR
CABINET
42 ( 4 0 ) .
CONCLUSIONS
of a Meeting of the War Cabinet held at 1 0 Downing
S.W. 1 , on Thursday, February 1 5 , 1 9 4 0 , at 1 1 - 3 0 A.M.
Street,
Present :
T h e R i g h t H o n . N E V I L L E C H A M B E R L A I N , M . P , P r i m e M i n i s t e r (in the
Chair).
The Right Hon. VISCOUNT HALIFAX,
Secretary
of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n
Affairs.
The R i g h t Hon. Sir SAMUEL HOARE,
B t , M . P , L o r d P r i v y Seal.
A d m i r a l of t h e F l e e t t h e R i g h t H o n .
The R i g h t H o n . S i r KLNGSLEY W O O D ,
M . P , Secretary of S t a t e for A i r .
LORD
CHATEIELD,
Minister
for
Co-
o r d i n a t i o n of Defence.
The
Right
Hon. LORD
HANKEY,
Minister without Portfolio.
T h e following w e r e also p r e s e n t :
T h e R i g h t H o n . S i r JOHN ANDERSON,
M . P , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for 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
H o m e Security.
The R i g h t Hon. MALCOLM MACDONALD,
M . P , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for t h e
Colonies (Items 1 and 2).
The Right Hon. ERNEST BROWN M . P ,
M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r a n d National.
Service (Item 3 ) .
Sir
General S i r W . EDMUND IRONSIDE,
Chief of t h e I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l Staff
Vice-Admiral
T . S. V . P H I L L I P S ,
D e p u t y Chief of N a v a l Staff (Items 5
and 6 ) .
(Items
5-9).
HORACE
J.
WILSON,
Permanent
S e c r e t a r y to t h e T r e a s u r y .
Secretariat.
Sir EDWARD BRIDGES.
Mr. F . H E M M I N G .
Mr. W. D. WILKINSON.
W i n g Commander W. ELLIOT.
M r . G. N . F L E M M I N G .
[20841]
%0 7
4
^
WAR
CABINET
42
(40).
CONTENTS.
Minute
No.
Page
Subject.
1
W e s t I n d i e s : R e p o r t of R o y a l C o m m i s s i o n . . .
Publication of recommendations.
Short-term relief programme.
Announcement of the Governments intention to act in the spirit
of the recommendations.
2
T h e C o l o n i a l E m p i r e : S t a t e m e n t of P o l i c y on D e v e l o p ­
m e n t a n d W e l f a r e a n d on Colonial R e s e a r c h . . .
...
Development and welfare.
Research.
Mandated territories.
331
332
3
C o m p u l s o r y M i l i t a r y Service
Liability of British subjects in France and French citizens in
Great Britain.
334
4
The Air Situation
335
5
The Naval Situation
Search for German merchant vessels.
Shipping losses.
U-boat sunk:
U-boat sunk on the 12th February.
335
6
The Military Situation
Western front.
Finland. .
336
7
A s s i s t a n c e to F i n l a n d
Supplv of aircraft.
Pilots."
Field guns and ammunition.
Railway difficulties.
Approach to France.
336
8
Italy
Economic relations.
9
Italy
Internal situation.
...
­
...
...
...
...
338
...
...
338
West Indies:
1. 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
Report of Royal S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for the Colonies ( W . P . (G.) (40) 45) covering a
Commission.
s u m m a r y of the r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s of the W e s t I n d i a R o y a l
Publication of
Commission.
recommenda­
The Secretary
of State for the Colonies recalled t h a t on the
tions.
(Previous
Eef erence:
W.M. (40) 27th
Conclusions,
Minute 2.)
occasion r e f e r r e d to in t h e m a r g i n the W a r C a b i n e t h a d decided
t o w i t h h o l d a p p r o v a l to t h e p u b l i c a t i o n of the R e p o r t ; a n d h a d
i n v i t e d h i m t o c o m m u n i c a t e t h i s decision to L o r d Moyne a n d t o
the G o v e r n o r s of t h e W e s t I n d i a n Colonies.
T h e members of the Commission h a d been d i s a p p o i n t e d a t t h e
W a r C a b i n e f s decision, a n d d i s a g r e e d w i t h it. P r o v i d e d , however,
t h a t they w e r e not associated w i t h the decision, they were w i l l i n g
to h e l p t h e Government, a n d h a d a g r e e d to p r e p a r e a s t a t e m e n t
of t h e i r R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s w h i c h could be published on the
C o m m i s s i o n ^ own a u t h o r i t y .
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e proposed t h a t the C o m m a n d P a p e r
should consist of t h i s S u m m a r y , plus the names a n d t e r m s of
reference of the Commission, t h e i r i t i n e r a r y , a n d a letter from
himself to t h e Commission on t h e subject of t h e n o n - p u b l i c a t i o n
of the body of t h e i r R e p o r t .
T h e case for p u b l i s h i n g t h e
C o m m i s s i o n ^ recommendations w a s , he t h o u g h t , overwhelming. I f
a c c o m p a n i e d by a n a n n o u n c e m e n t of t h e r e m e d i a l measures to be
taken, i t would go f a r to allay t h e suspicions to w h i c h t h e n o n ­
a p p e a r a n c e of the body of the R e p o r t would inevitably give rise.
The Prime Minister s a i d t h a t he found n o t h i n g in the s u m m a r y
to w h i c h t h e W a r C a b i n e t need take exception. T h e s u m m a r y
would, he t h o u g h t , be generally accepted as a m p l e evidence of t h e
comprehensive w a y in w h i c h the Commission h a d investigated t h e
social, e d u c a t i o n a l , economic, a g r i c u l t u r a l a n d other problems of
t h e I s l a n d s . T h e Commissioners would c e r t a i n l y not be open to the
r e p r o a c h of t i m i d i t y . T h e y need n o t fear t h a t t h e i r w o r k would
suffer i n the public e s t i m a t i o n by reason of the n o n - p u b l i c a t i o n of
t h e body of t h e i r R e p o r t . T h e r e w a s g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t w i t h t h i s
view.
The Secretary
of State for the Colonies said t h a t h e h a d
considered w h a t e x p l a n a t i o n should be given for n o n - p u b l i c a t i o n
of the body of the R e p o r t . I t seemed the best solution to give
n o reason a t a l l in public. P r i v a t e l y , however, the press m i g h t be
told t h a t w h i l e we would n o t have objected t o - t h e R e p o r t if t a k e n
as a whole, t h e use by t h e enemy of selected e x t r a c t s m i g h t have
been d a m a g i n g to us.
G e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t w a s expressed w i t h t h i s view.
Short-term
relief
programme.
The Colonial Secretary said t h a t , as he envisaged the s i t u a t i o n
a f t e r t h e p u b l i c a t i o n of these documents, the G o v e r n m e n t s c r i t i c s
would p o i n t to the fact t h a t they contained n o promise of a n y
i m m e d i a t e relief to the W e s t I n d i e s . S o m e t h i n g in t h e n a t u r e of
a. s h o r t - t e r m jjolicy Avas obviously needed. H e h a d reached agree­
ment w i t h the T r e a s u r y (who h a d been very helpful in this m a t t e r )
on a s h o r t - t e r m p l a n by w h i c h a sum of £350,000 Avould be m a d e
i m m e d i a t e l y available for relief a n d u n e m p l o y m e n t works in t h e
various West Indian Islands.
A s r e g a r d s the a n n o u n c e m e n t of t h i s short-term plan, he h a d
considered t h e d e s i r a b i l i t y of i n s e r t i n g a p a s s a g e in the W h i t e
P a p e r on Colonial Development, i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r p a r a g r a p h 1.
B u t he t h o u g h t t h a t the s h o r t - t e r m p l a n , if it found a place in
t h e W h i t e P a p e r , m i g h t h a v e the a p p e a r a n c e of a p a n i c m e a s u r e ,
or a bribe. Accordingly, h e proposed t h a t , on the 2 0 t h F e b r u a r y
(the d a t e on w h i c h the tAvo C o m m a n d P a p e r s Avere p u b l i s h e d in
L o n d o n ) , the W e s t I n d i a n Governors should be a u t h o r i s e d to
a n n o u n c e separately, each in his o w n Colony, t h e allocation of a
specific sum for s h o r t - t e r m purposes.
[20841]
B
2
I n discussion g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t w a s expressed w i t h t h e
Colonial S e c r e t a r y ' s s h o r t - t e r m p l a n . I t w a s felt, however, t h a t a
s h o r t p a s s a g e should be i n t r o d u c e d a t the e n d of p a r a g r a p h 1 to
e x p l a i n t h a t a s u m w a s b e i n g m a d e i m m e d i a t e l y a v a i l a b l e , as a
first i n s t a l m e n t of the l o n g - t e r m policy.
A nnouncement
A t t e n t i o n w a s d r a w n to p a r a g r a p h 1 of t h e W h i t e P a p e r o n
of the Govern­
Colonial Development, in w h i c h i t w a s s t a t e d t h a t w h i l e t h e
m e n t ' s intention G o v e r n m e n t c a n n o t commit themselves now to accept p a r t i c u l a r
to act in the
proposals, they a r e a n x i o u s to act a s early a s possible i n the s p i r i t
spirit of the
of t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s of t h e R o y a l Commission a s a whole.
Royal
Commission's
recommenda­
tions.
The Secretary
of State for the Colonies t h o u g h t i t impossible
w i t h o u t more t i m e for e x a m i n a t i o n to go f u r t h e r a t t h e moment.
T h i s p a s s a g e itself w o u l d be definitely r e a s s u r i n g to the W e s t
I n d i e s , as it i n d i c a t e d t h a t the C o m m i s s i o n ^ development a n d
w e l f a r e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s in respect of t h e W e s t I n d i e s , c o s t i n g
some £1,400,000 p e r a n n u m , would find t h e i r place w i t h i n t h e
f r a m e w o r k of t h e n e w comprehensive p r o p o s a l s for Colonial
development.
The War C a b i n e t ­
(i) 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 the Colonies to
a r r a n g e for the p u b l i c a t i o n , as a W h i t e P a p e r on t h e
2 0 t h F e b r u a r y , of the R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s of the W e s t
I n d i a R o y a l Commission, in t h e f o r m a n n e x e d to h i s
M e m o r a n d u m W . P . (G.) (40) 45. t o g e t h e r w i t h s u i t a b l e
introductory matter,
(ii) A g r e e d t h a t no reason should be given publicly for t h e
n o n - p u b l i c a t i o n of the r e m a i n d e r of t h e R e p o r t of t h e
R o y a l Commission,
(iii) I n v i t e d the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for t h e Colonies to a d d to
p a r a g r a p h 1 of t h e d r a f t s t a t e m e n t of policy on Colonial
D e v e l o p m e n t a n d W e l f a r e a n d on Colonial R e s e a r c h
(see M i n u t e 2) a s t a t e m e n t i n general t e r m s of t h e
G o v e r n m e n t s i n t e n t i o n to t a k e e a r l y a c t i o n to give
some m e a s u r e of i m m e d i a t e a s s i s t a n c e to t h e W e s t
I n d i a n Colonies.
The Colonial
Empire: State­
ment of Policy
on Development
and Welfare
and on Colonial
Research.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M. (40) 27th
Conclusions,
Minute 2.)
Development
and welfare.
2. 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
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for the Colonies, to w h i c h w a s a t t a c h e d a d r a f t
s t a t e m e n t of policy on Colonial Development a n d W e l f a r e a n d on
Colonial R e s e a r c h ( W . P . (G.) (40) 44).
The Secretary of State for the Colonies said t h a t t h e recommen­
d a t i o n s of the W e s t I n d i a R o y a l Commission i n c l u d e d p r o p o s a l s
for a n e x p e n d i t u r e of some £1,400,000 p e r a n n u m from t h e
E x c h e q u e r , in o r d e r to enable the W e s t I n d i a n Colonies to r e a c h a
reasonable s t a n d a r d of Government a n d social services. C o n d i t i o n s
t h e r e w e r e probably worse t h a n in any o t h e r p a r t of t h e E m p i r e ,
p a r t l y because, w i t h t h e exception of T r i n i d a d , they h a d no m i n e r a l
resources a n d p r a c t i c a l l y no secondary i n d u s t r i e s a n d w e r e t h u s
e n t i r e l y d e p e n d e n t u p o n a g r i c u l t u r e ; a n d p a r t l y because t h e i r
p o p u l a t i o n w a s relatively s o p h i s t i c a t e d a n d t h e r e f o r e e x p e c t e d social
services of a f a i r l y h i g h order. B u t conditions w e r e b a d in some of
t h e other Colonies also, a n d , generally s p e a k i n g , t h e y h a d n o t
sufficient financial resources to p r o v i d e themselves w i t h t h e services
w h i c h w e r e r e q u i r e d by present day s t a n d a r d s .
A survey i n the Colonial Office of t h e needs of t h e E m p i r e
g e n e r a l l y h a d led h i m to propose t h a t the E x c h e q u e r should find u p
to £ 5 million p e r a n n u m in order to enable t h e Colonies to b r i n g
t h e i r services u p to a reasonable s t a n d a r d , ( T h i s figure i n c l u d e d
£1,400,000 for t h e W e s t Indies.) I f t h i s w e r e agreed, n e w legisla­
t i o n would be necessary. T h e e x i s t i n g Colonial D e v e l o p m e n t F u n d
w a s l i m i t e d t o £1,000.000 per a n n u m , a n d w a s also r e s t r i c t e d in i t s
Eesearch.
scope, a s e x p l a i n e d i n h i s M e m o r a n d u m . H e t h e r e f o r e proposed
t h a t t h e e x i s t i n g Colonial D e v e l o p m e n t F u n d should be abolished
a n d t h a t provision should be m a d e for a new vote for Colonial
D e v e l o p m e n t a n d W e l f a r e u p to £5,000,000 per a n n u m for t h e next
ten y e a r s . R e s p o n s i b i l i t y for m a k i n g the. n e w g r a n t s w o u l d rest
w i t h the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e a n d t h e Chancellor of t h e E x c h e q u e r ,
b u t a n e w A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e w o u l d be set u p on w h i c h he would
p r o p o s e to increase the official element to r o u g h l y half the
membership.
j j a d d i t i o n , a s e p a r a t e vote of £500,000 a y e a r for
jj p p
Colonial R e s e a r c h a n d a Colonial R e s e a r c h A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e to
a d v i s e a s t o t h e e x p e n d i t u r e of t h i s sum. A g a i n , the S e c r e t a r y of
S t a t e a n d t h e Chancellor of t h e E x c h e q u e r would be responsible for
t h e a c t u a l allocation, b u t h e w a s a n x i o u s to get advice t h r o u g h t h e
C o m m i t t e e from t h e best scientific m i n d s in the c o u n t r y .
e
r 0
0 s e (
j
n
D i s c u s s i o n ensued w h e t h e r a n a d v i s o r y body of d i s t i n g u i s h e d
s c i e n t i s t s w o u l d be best s u i t e d to advise on t h e d i s p o s i t i o n of a fund
of t h i s c h a r a c t e r . W o u l d s c i e n t i s t s have sufficient e x p e r i e n c e of
c o n d i t i o n s in t h e Colonies to enable t h e m to consider competing
c l a i m s ? Scientific s p e c i a l i s t s w e r e p e r h a p s a p t to t a k e a n a r r o w
view of claims o u t s i d e t h e i r o w n p a r t i c u l a r field.
The Secretary
of State for the Colonies said t h a t he contem­
p l a t e d t h a t full r e p o r t s a n d i n f o r m a t i o n a s to the w o r k being­
c a r r i e d o u t in the Colonies w o u l d come before the A d v i s o r y
C o m m i t t e e , a n d also t h a t they should be in touch w i t h e x p e r t opinion
i n t h i s country, e.g., t h r o u g h t h e M i n i s t r y of A g r i c u l t u r e a n d
F i s h e r i e s a n d t h e D e p a r t m e n t of Scientific a n d I n d u s t r i a l Research.
T h e y w o u l d be free to s p e n d p a r t of t h e i r funds on r e s e a r c h work
in t h i s c o u n t r y if t h e y t h o u g h t fit. T h e r e would be a n official
element on the C o m m i t t e e , e.g., t h e A g r i c u l t u r a l a n d Medical
A d v i s e r s of t h e Colonial Office, a n d he b a d in m i n d to suggest
someone w i t h w i d e Colonial e x p e r i e n c e a s C h a i r m a n . F o r example,
h e m i g h t p r o p o s e the a p p o i n t m e n t of L o r d H a i l e y as C h a i r m a n both
of t h e R e s e a r c h A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e a n d of the Development and
W e l f a r e A d v i s o r y Committee.
T h e r e w a s g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t w i t h ' the view t h a t i t w a s
i m p o r t a n t t h a t t h e r e should be a s t r o n g non-specialist element on
t h e R e s e a r c h A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e and t h a t t h e C h a i r m a n , in
p a r t i c u l a r , should be a m a n of b r o a d experience. I t w a s also u r g e d
t h a t t h e C o m m i t t e e should be e n c o u r a g e d to c o n c e n t r a t e on the
m a j o r p r o b l e m s involved (e.g., those in w h i c h t h e b i g g e r research
u n d e r t a k i n g s a r e i n t e r e s t e d ) , a n d n o t to become involved in m i n o r
administrative detail.
Mandated
territories.
The Minister without Portfolio s a i d t h a t the p u b l i c a t i o n of the
p r o p o s e d s t a t e m e n t of policy w o u l d be extremely v a l u a b l e in
connection w i t h t h e a c t i v i t i e s of t h e M a n d a t e s Commission of the
L e a g u e of N a t i o n s .
The Prime Minister
s u g g e s t e d t h a t , if it w a s c o n t e m p l a t e d
t h a t m a n d a t e d t e r r i t o r i e s s h o u l d p a r t i c i p a t e in t h e proposed
E x c h e q u e r g r a n t s on t h e same basis as Colonial t e r r i t o r i e s , i t was­
very desirable to m a k e a more conspicuous s t a t e m e n t to t h i s effect
t h a n t h e p a s s i n g reference c o n t a i n e d in p a r a g r a p h (3) of the
statement as drafted.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies said t h a t h i s p r o p o s a l
w a s t h a t t h e m a n d a t e d t e r r i t o r i e s should n o t be e x c l u d e d from the
p r o p o s e d schemes, t h o u g h they would not necessarily be t r e a t e d on
exactly t h e same b a s i s as t h e Colonies. T h e r e would, for example,
be n o d i s t i n c t i o n between T a n g a n y i k a a n d K e n y a , b u t i t m i g h t be
necessary to m a k e some d i s t i n c t i o n in the case of a Class A m a n d a t e
such as P a l e s t i n e , w h e r e the J e w i s h community, a t a n y r a t e , w a s
[20841]
B 3
r e l a t i v e l y w e a l t h y . H e hoped, however, t h a t t h e p r o p o s e d f u n d
w o u l d be used to assist A r a b a g r i c u l t u r a l development in P a l e s t i n e .
T h e r e w a s g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t t h a t M a n d a t e d T e r r i t o r i e s should
be t r e a t e d as on the same basis as Colonies in t h i s m a t t e r , a n d t h a t
i t w a s desirable t h a t t h i s fact should be e m p h a s i s e d i n the W h i t e
Paper.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies u n d e r t o o k to i n s e r t a
p a r a g r a p h in t h e d r a f t s t a t e m e n t on these lines.
The Lord Privy Seal d r e w a t t e n t i o n to p a r a g r a p h 15 of the
d r a f t s t a t e m e n t , in w h i c h reference w a s m a d e to t h e need for
co-operation w i t h t h e local Colonial a u t h o r i t i e s , a n d p o i n t e d o u t
t h a t in c e r t a i n cases t h e local l e g i s l a t u r e s w o u l d p r o b a b l y oppose
reforms.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies said t h a t care w o u l d be
t a k e n to see t h a t the p r o p o s e d g r a n t s d i d not merely relieve the
Colonial G o v e r n m e n t s of t h e i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s ; they would, i n fact,
be given only on c o n d i t i o n t h a t the Colonial G o v e r n m e n t s c a r r i e d
out t h e i r s h a r e of the w o r k . H e a g r e e d t h a t it w o u l d be wise to
i n c l u d e in t h e p a r a g r a p h in question a reference to the
" r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s " of t h e local l e g i s l a t u r e s as well as to t h e i r
" r i g h t s and privileges."
The Minister without Portfolio s a i d t h a t , in the absence of
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for D o m i n i o n Affairs, he w o u l d be seeing
D o m i n i o n H i g h Commissioners, a n d asked if t h e r e w o u l d be
objection to h i s i n f o r m i n g them, as a m a t t e r of courtesy, of
G o v e r n m e n t s proposal.
the
the
any
the
The Secretary
of State for the Colonies s a i d t h a t h e s a w no
objection a n d t h a t he would be g l a d to d r a f t a s t a t e m e n t in
convenient form for t h i s p u r p o s e . H e t h o u g h t , however, t h a t it
w o u l d suffice if they w e r e informed on the e n s u i n g day.
T h e view w a s generally expressed t h a t the proposals i n the
d r a f t s t a t e m e n t r e p r e s e n t e d a very i m p o r t a n t a n d desirable develop­
m e n t in B r i t i s h Colonial policy.
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 t h e Colonies to issue
as a W h i t e P a p e r on the 2 0 t h F e b r u a r y the s t a t e m e n t of
policy on Colonial Development a n d W e l f a r e a n d on
Colonial R e s e a r c h i n the form a n n e x e d to h i s Memo­
r a n d u m W . P . (G.) (40) 44, subject to i t s a m e n d m e n t to
meet t h e p o i n t s m a d e in the discussion (see also M i n u t e 1).
Compulsory
Military
Service.
3. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a J o i n t M e m o r a n d u m
by 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 a n d the 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 ( W . P . (G.) (40) 43) as to t h e l i a b i l i t y
for compulsory m i l i t a r y service of B r i t i s h subjects in F r a n c e , a n d
of F r e n c h citizens in G r e a t B r i t a i n .
(Previous
Reference:
W.M. (39) 119th
The Minister
of Labour said t h a t p a r a g r a p h 3 (2) of the
Conclusions,
M e m o r a n d u m h a d o r i g i n a l l y been d r a f t e d on the basis of the issue
Minute 1.)
Liability of
British subjects
in Prance and
French citizens
in Great
Britain.
of a s e p a r a t e P r o c l a m a t i o n for each a g e g r o u p to be called u p . W e
w e r e now following t h e p l a n of p r o c l a i m i n g , several age g r o u p s a t
a time. T h i s p a r a g r a p h h a d t h e r e f o r e been a m e n d e d to refer
specifically to t h e d a t e on w h i c h t h e m e n in q u e s t i o n would be
" r e q u i r e d t o r e g i s t e r , " if they were r e s i d e n t in G r e a t B r i t a i n .
335 W . M . 4 2 (40).
T h e schedule of R e s e r v e d O c c u p a t i o n s w o u l d a p p l y both t o —
(i) B r i t i s h subjects w h o r e t u r n e d to t h i s c o u n t r y in p u r s u a n c e
of t h e A g r e e m e n t ,
(ii) F r e n c h subjects who elected to r e m a i n i n t h i s c o u n t r y .
T h e n e x t s t e p w o u l d be t h e c o n t i n u a n c e of n e g o t i a t i o n s w i t h t h e
F r e n c h G o v e r n m e n t , a n d , if these w e r e successful, P a r l i a m e n t w o u l d
be asked to p a s s t h e necessary legislation, as i n t h e G r e a t W a r .
The W a r C a b i n e t A p p r o v e d t h e p r o p o s a l s of 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 a n d t h e 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, a s set out i n t h e i r M e m o r a n d u m W . P . (G.) (40) 43.
The Air
Situation.
(Previous
Preference:
W.M. (40) 41st
-Conclusions,
Minute 1.)
4. The Secretary of State for Air s a i d t h a t Bomber C o m m a n d
h a d c a r r i e d o u t a sweep over t h e N o r t h Sea. b u t no enemy vessels
h a d been s i g h t e d .
A r e c o n n a i s s a n c e h a d been c a r r i e d o u t over B o r k u m , J u i s t a n d
N o r d e n e y , b u t n o enemy w a r s h i p s or s u b m a r i n e s h a d been seen. I c e
c o n d i t i o n s e x t e n d e d a b o u t five miles out to sea.
T h e r e h a d been no enemy a i r a c t i v i t y off t h e B r i t i s h Isles.
Seventy-two fighter p a t r o l s h a d been d e s p a t c h e d d u r i n g t h e day,
involving 204 a i r c r a f t . T h e u s u a l p a t r o l s h a d been flown by C o a s t a l
Command.
T h e r e w a s no a c t i v i t y to r e p o r t from the B r i t i s h a i r forces in
France.
T h e W a r C a b i n e t took note of t h i s s t a t e m e n t .
The Naval
Situation.
(Previous
Eef erence:
W.M. (40) 41st
Concl visions,
Minute 2.)
5. The Deputy Chief of Naval Staff gave the W a r C a b i n e t
c e r t a i n d e t a i l s r e g a r d i n g the p r e s e n t movements of the H o m e Fleet.
T h e h u n t for t h e r e m a i n i n g four m e r c h a n t s h i p s w h i c h h a d
left V i g o h a d c o n t i n u e d d u r i n g t h e previous d a y w i t h o u t result.
Search for
German
merchant
vessels.
Shipping losses.
T h e B r i t i s h Sultan Star (12,000 tons), c a r r y i n g a n i m p o r t a n t
cargo of meat, h a d been t o r p e d o e d S o u t h - W e s t of L a n d ' s E n d on
t h e p r e v i o u s a f t e r n o o n . B e i n g a f a s t liner she h a d n o t been in
convoy, a n d w a s the first f a s t s h i p w h i c h h a d been torpedoed.
T h r e e destroyers, who w e r e w i t h i n 30 miles, h a d a r r i v e d on
t h e scene a n d rescued the crew. These destroyers h a d o b t a i n e d a
c o n t a c t close to t h e Sultan Star j u s t a f t e r she h a d sunk, a n d h a d
a t t a c k e d . T h e U - b o a t h a d been seen to break s u r f a c e a n d t h e n
d i s a p p e a r in such a m a n n e r a s to give reason for believing t h a t
she h a d been sunk.
T h e B r i t i s h t a n k e r Imperial
Transport
h a d been t o r p e d o e d
150 miles W e s t - n o r t h - w e s t of t h e B u t t of L e w i s on t h e a f t e r n o o n
of t h e 1 1 t h F e b r u a r y . H e r bow h a d been blown off, b u t s h e w a s
still able to steam 4 knots. She w a s being escorted home by a
destroyer.
D i v e r s h a d a r r i v e d a t t h e Clyde to e x a m i n e the U - b o a t w h i c h
U-boat sunk on 12th February. h a d been s u n k there.
U-boat sunk.
(Previous Eef erence: W.M. (40) 40th
Conclusions,
Minute 3.)
/ The Military
Situation.
w
a
s
6. The Chief of the Imperial
General Staff
n o t h i n g to r e p o r t from the W e s t e r n F r o n t .
said t h a t t h e r e
(Previous
Reference:
W.M. (40) 41st
Conclusions,
Minute 3.)
Western Front.
Finland.
T h e F i n n s h a d acknowledged losing c e r t a i n p o s i t i o n s i n t h e
S u m m a a r e a . T h e y w e r e holding t h e i r own N o r t h of L a k e L a d o g a .
I n C e n t r a l F i n l a n d they h a d succeeded in w i p i n g o u t a n o t h e r
Russian battalion.
T h e g e n e r a l s i t u a t i o n w a s r e p o r t e d to be stable. T h o u g h t h e
F i n n s w e r e tired, t h e r e w a s no question of t h e i r b e i n g e x h a u s t e d .
T h e real reason for t h e seeming setback w h i c h they w e r e n o w
suffering w a s t h e i r lack of a m m u n i t i o n for field g u n s . T h i s imposed
very severe r e s t r i c t i o n s on e x p e n d i t u r e a n d m e a n t t h a t they h a d
to forego a n y t h i n g b u t the most profitable t a r g e t s . T h e y w e r e
o u t r a n g e d by a n overwhelming c o n c e n t r a t i o n of some 600 R u s s i a n
guns, b u t for all t h a t t h e i r casualties h a d not been serious. B y
contrast, t h e R u s s i a n s h a d lost some 80,000 to 90,000 killed, a n d
t h e i r morale w a s deplorable.
T h e W a r Cabinet took note of the above s t a t e m e n t .
Assistance to
Finland.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M. (40) 41st
Conclusions,
Minute 5.)
7. The Secretary of State far- Air informed t h e W a r C a b i n e t
t h a t the final p r e p a r a t i o n of 12 short-nosed Blenheims w a s b e i n g
completed, a n d t h a t these would be r e a d y to be flown to F i n l a n d
in t e n d a y s ' time.
Supply of
aircraft.
Pilots.
I n t h i s connection the Secretary of S t a t e for A i r r a i s e d t h e
question w h e t h e r the W a r Cabinet would see a n y objection to t h e s e
a i r c r a f t being flown to F i n l a n d by volunteer R . A . F . crews who w o u l d
r e m a i n t h e r e to fight a g a i n s t the R u s s i a n s . F r o m t h e o p e r a t i o n a l
p o i n t of view t h e o p p o r t u n i t y of fighting in F i n l a n d w o u l d g i v e
R . A . F . pilots a n d crews valuable t r a i n i n g a n d experience. T h e r e
would be no lack of volunteers. T h e y would h a v e to r e s i g n t h e i r
commissions, a n d special consideration would h a v e to be given t o
such m a t t e r s as t h e i r pay, non-effective benefits, a n d s u b s e q u e n t
re-employment in t h i s country. Some 24 volunteers m i g h t go to
F i n l a n d w i t h t h e 12 Blenheims, b u t t h i s i n i t i a l step m i g h t involve
u s i n f u r t h e r commitments, by w a y of r e i n f o r c e m e n t s . C o n t i n g e n t s
of volunteers m i g h t , w i t h a d v a n t a g e , be sent o u t for p r e - a r r a n g e d
p e r i o d s a n d be relieved by succeeding contingents, on the lines w h i c h
h a d been p r a c t i s e d by the G e r m a n s a n d I t a l i a n s i n S p a i n .
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs s a w n o objection
from t h e political p o i n t of view, p r o v i d e d the p e r s o n n e l w e r e
r e p r e s e n t e d as volunteers. T h e only objections he saw w e r e t h e
difficulties w h i c h m i g h t be raised by Sweden a n d t h e e m b a r r a s s m e n t
w h i c h m i g h t be caused if B r i t i s h crews w e r e t a k e n p r i s o n e r by
the R u s s i a n s . If, however, the W a r C a b i n e t w e r e p r e p a r e d to
a g r e e to volunteer a i r crews proceeding to F i n l a n d , m i g h t t h e r e
not be even g r e a t e r a d v a n t a g e in s e n d i n g B r i t i s h personnel w i t h
the H u r r i c a n e s w h i c h were about to go to F i n l a n d ?
The Lord Privy Seal considered t h a t the d e s p a t c h of B r i t i s h
flying p e r s o n n e l to F i n l a n d w o u l d p r o b a b l y p r o d u c e r e s u l t s o u t of
all p r o p o r t i o n to t h e i r n u m b e r s , a n d lie w a s t h e r e f o r e s t r o n g l y in
f a v o u r of t h e i r g o i n g . G e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t w a s expressed w i t h t h i s
v i e w p r o v i d e d t h a t it w a s a d m i n i s t r a t i v e l y p r a c t i c a b l e .
Field guns and
ammunition.
Eail way
difficulties.
The Chief of the Imperial
General Staff s a i d t h a t o r d e r s h a d
been given for the i m m e d i a t e w i t h d r a w a l of 30 field g u n s from
reserve for d e s p a t c h t o F i n l a n d in accordance w i t h t h e decision
t a k e n by t h e W a r C a b i n e t o n t h e p r e v i o u s day. In reply to the
P r i m e M i n i s t e r , t h e Chief of the I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l Staff u n d e r t o o k
to r e p o r t full d e t a i l s to the W a r C a b i n e t on t h e following d a y as to
t h e d a t e w h e n these g u n s a n d t h e a m m u n i t i o n for them would leave.
G e n e r a l G a m e l i n ' s reply to a s u g g e s t i o n t h a t field g u n s m i g h t
be m a d e available from F r a n c e h a d n o t been favourable.
The
e x p l a n a t i o n , possibly, w a s t h a t t h e F r e n c h h a d sent all available
s u r p l u s g u n s to the B a l k a n s and, h a v i n g r e g a r d to the ten a d d i t i o n a l
D i v i s i o n s w h i c h they w e r e in process of f o r m i n g , w e r e unable to
s p a r e a n y for F i n l a n d .
M e a n w h i l e , the 24 field h o w i t z e r s , each w i t h 2,000 r o u n d s ,
a l r e a d y despatched from t h i s country, h a d now a r r i v e d in F i n l a n d .
T h e y should s h o r t l y be in a c t i o n a n d should go f a r to improve the
situation.
R a i l w a y delays in Sweden h a s been p a r t l y due to the moving
of two Swedish D i v i s i o n s n o r t h w a r d s t o Boden. T h e position
should i m p r o v e as a r e s u l t of the d e s p a t c h of seven r a i l w a y e x p e r t s
f r o m t h i s c o u n t r y — t w o to Sweden a n d five to Torneo, w h e r e they
w e r e s t r a i g h t e n i n g o u t a considerable confusion of w a g o n s , in close
co-operation w i t h t h e F i n n i s h staff.
The Lord Privy Seal t h o u g h t it i m p o r t a n t t h a t o u r t r a n s p o r t a ­
t i o n e x p e r t s should h a v e a r e a l knowledge of t h e S w e d i s h r a i l w a y
system, a n d be of such s t a n d i n g as to be able to t a l k on level t e r m s
to t h e h i g h e r S w e d i s h r a i l w a y a u t h o r i t i e s .
Approach to
France.
The Prime Minister said t h a t he h a d seen t h e F i n n i s h M i n i s t e r
on t h e p r e v i o u s day and. h a d helped to r e a s s u r e h i m . M. G r i p e n b e r g
h a d asked w h e t h e r we could, not intercede w i t h the F r e n c h .
In
view of G e n e r a l G a m e l h V s reply to the a p p e a l of the Chief of the
I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l Staff, be (the P r i m e M i n i s t e r ) t h o u g h t i t m i g h t
be o p p o r t u n e for h i m to m a k e a p e r s o n a l a p p e a l to M . D a l a d i e r .
H e could say t h a t t h e B r i t i s h G o v e r n m e n t h a d c o n s i d e r e d it
w o r t h Avhile to m a k e considerable sacrifices on behalf of t h e F i n n s ;
a n d he could ask w h e t h e r t h e F r e n c h could n o t see t h e i r w a y t o
m a k i n g s i m i l a r sacrifices, p a r t i c u l a r l y in r e g a r d to t h e possible
release of field guns, of which, the F i n n s h a d such g r e a t need.
The W a r Cabinet—
(i.) 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 Air if, on f u r t h e r
i n v e s t i g a t i o n , a w o r k a b l e scheme could be devised, to
a r r a n g e for a l i m i t e d n u m b e r of R . A . F . flying personnel
to proceed t o F i n l a n d , i n the g u i s e of volunteers, for t h e
p u r p o s e of fighting a g a i n s t R u s s i a ; such p e r s o n n e l to
proceed w i t h the B l e n h e i m a i r c r a f t (or possibly w i t h the
H u r r i c a n e a i r c r a f t ) w h i c h w e r e s h o r t l y to be sent to
Pinland.
(ii) I n v i t e d the P r i m e M i n i s t e r to a d d r e s s a p e r s o n a l a p p e a l
to M . D a l a d i e r to release field g u n s a n d a m m u n i t i o n for
Finland.
(iii) I n v i t e d the Chief of the I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l Staff to r e p o r t
to the W a r C a b i n e t a t t h e i r m e e t i n g on t h e following­
d a y d e t a i l s r e g a r d i n g t h e d e s p a t c h to F i n l a n d of the
30 field gUns a n d 30,000 r o u n d s of a m m u n i t i o n .
Italy.
Economic
relations.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M. (40) 41st
Conclusions,
Minute 6.)
8. The Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs s a i d t h a t t h e
l a t e s t t e l e g r a m s from H i s M a j e s t y ' s A m b a s s a d o r , R o m e (Nos. 126,
127 a n d 128, d a t e d t h e 14th F e b r u a r y , 1940), s u g g e s t e d t h a t
t h e p r o s p e c t s of o b t a i n i n g the proposed T r a d e A g r e e m e n t h a d
become m o r e u n f a v o u r a b l e . I n a n i n t e r v i e w on t h e 13th F e b r u a r y ,
1940, C o u n t C i a n o h a d s a i d t h a t the Duce felt s u r e t h a t H i s
M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t w o u l d u n d e r s t a n d t h a t in view of h i s special
r e l a t i o n s w i t h G e r m a n y , he could n o t honourably p e r m i t the sale t o
us or to F r a n c e of guns, a n t i - a i r c r a f t guns, explosives a n d o t h e r
w e a p o n s of d e s t r u c t i o n . I n t h e same conversation C o u n t C i a n o h a d
a g a i n asked a b o u t G e r m a n sea-borne coal; w a s any d a t e fixed for
its s t o p p a g e 1 S i r P e r c y L o r a i n e h a d replied, n o t to h i s k n o w l e d g e ;
he s u p p o s e d t h a t no a c t i o n w o u l d be taken u n t i l the M a s t e r of t h e
Rolls h a d r e a c h e d L o n d o n a n d r e p o r t e d to t h e W a r C a b i n e t . H e
i m a g i n e d , however, t h a t i t w a s q u i t e likely t h a t seizures would
begin in t h e following week. C o u n t C i a n o h a d t h e n s a i d : " A s
soon as t h a t ? " T o w h i c h S i r P e r c y L o r a i n e h a d c o n t e n t e d himself
w i t h r e p l y i n g t h a t the o r i g i n a l d a t e of enforcement h a d been m i d December last. A s to C o u n t C i a n o ' s s t a t e m e n t t h a t I t a l y w a s n o w
r e a r m i n g , S i r P e r c y L o r a i n e h a d told h i m t h a t if, as w a s probable,
she w a s u n a b l e to obtain t h e necessary r a w m a t e r i a l s o u t s i d e t h e
s t e r l i n g a r e a , she would h a v e to come to u s to o b t a i n them. I f she
sought such assistance, he (Sir P e r c y L o r a i n e ) t h o u g h t t h a t a n y
British Government would inquire against whom the armaments
t h u s c r e a t e d w e r e to be used, a n d would ask for g u a r a n t e e s a g a i n s t
t h e i r b e i n g used a g a i n s t u s or our Allies. The I t a l i a n G o v e r n m e n t
could t h e r e f o r e be u n d e r n o illusions as to the n a t u r e of t h e s i t u a t i o n
c r e a t e d by S i g n o r M u s s o l i n i ' s veto.
The Prime Minister s a i d t h a t there were m a n y forces in I t a l y
a n x i o u s to secure the p r o p o s e d T r a d e A g r e e m e n t w i t h u s . H e felt,
t h e r e f o r e , t h a t , if we d i d n o t act too h u r r i e d l y , t h e r e w a s a good
chance t h a t I t a l i a n policy m i g h t develop in t h e d i r e c t i o n t h a t w e
desired.
T h e W a r C a b i n e t took note of the above s t a t e m e n t .
Italy.
Internal
situation.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M. (40) 35th
Conclusions,
Minute 7.)
9. The Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs gave t h e W a r
C a b i n e t c e r t a i n i n f o r m a t i o n r e g a r d i n g the i n t e r n a l s i t u a t i o n i n
I t a l y . T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n is recorded in the S e c r e t a r y ' 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.
T h e W a r C a b i n e t took note of t h e s t a t e m e n t
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for F o r e i g n Affairs.
Richmond Terrace, S.W. 1, February 15, 1940. by
the