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4.

Item 2. ROYAL MARINE OPERATION.

The War Cabinet have already agreed at the Meeting referred to in paragraph 1. above that it was desirable to discuss with the French the Royal Marine operation. From the military point of view it is most desirable that the operation should be put into effect at a very carly date. A Note setting out our reasons for this view can be prepared at short notice.

5.

Item 3. SCANDINAVIA AND FINLAND.

We are preparing a Report on the military implications of the Russo-Finish Peace Treaty vis-a-vis the war against Germany This Report may not be available in time if a Meeting of the Supreme War Council takes place in the next two or three days. We suggest, however, that the attitude to be adopted by the Allies in respect of any Scandinavian-Finnish Fact should be discussed and we propose to prepare a brief Note summarising the military considerations for the information of Ministers.

6.

Item 4.

INTER-ALLIED SECURITY BOARD.

As the War Cabinet will be aware, an Inter-Service Security Board was established during the preparation of the Scandinavian Expedition and this organisation has now been placed on a permanent basis. We think it important that an Inter-Allied Security Board should be set up in order that inter-allied military plans and preparations in the future may be kept secret, both in France as well as in this country, and that any measures for providing "cover" for these plans should be concerted with the French.

We have instructed the Joint Intelligence Sub-Committee to prepare a Memorandum on this subject.

Item 5.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY FRANCE IF THE FULL WEIGHT OF A GERMAN OFFENSIVE IS CONCENTRATED ON GREAT BRITAIN.

This question was discussed by the Chiefs of Staff with the French Military Authorities in France last autumn and it was then clear that the French were not prepared to be very forthcoming in rendering assistance to us if the full weight of a German offensive is concentrated on this country. We consider that this question should again be raised with the French and we are preparing a Memorandum setting out our views.

Richmond Terrace, S.W.1.

(Signed)

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C. I. N. NEWALL. DULLEY POUND. EDMUND IRONSIDE.

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