CAB80-13 — Page 337

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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.

It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.

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SECRET.

0.S.(40)

JUNE. 1940.

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

COPY NO.

STAFF CONVERSATIONS WITH THE UNITED

STATES OF AMERICA

Draft Aide Memoire.

The object of this paper is to provide a strategic background and outline of policy which should govern the conduct of staff conversations with the United States. is confined strictly to the military aspect.

GENERAL SITUATION.

2.

It

All French Metropolitan territory and resources are now available to the enemy and it is possible that those in North Africa may become so in due course. The enemy will then be in a position to threaten the security of other French and British possessions in Africa. It now seems probable that little, if any, of the French Fleet will continue hostilities. In spite of the terms of the Armistice, the possibility of the Germans making use of units of the French Fleet cannot be ignored,

3.

Spain may join our enemies and Portugal may also be drawn into the struggle at her heels, All existing European neutrals, with the possible exception of Turkey, will eventually fall under German or Italian military or economic domination, and our position in the Mediterranean and the Middle East may be ultimately reduced to denying the Suez Canal to the enemy. We may have difficulties in India but, with the possible exception of Eire, the whole Empire can be counted on to continue and intensify their efforts in our support. Japan seems intent on an increasingly opportunist policy in the Far East, Owing to the necessity of maintaining in European waters adequate naval forces to match the combined German and Italian fleets, it will not be possible at present to increase our naval strength in the Far East. Russia appears to be seriously alarmed at Germany's success and may be expected at least to withhold active co-operation from Germany, but it would be very unwise to rely on her collaboration in any theatre,

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