FO371-23517 — Page 144

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37

INDEXED

18th April, 1939.

been Buster

I see that Mr. Arthur Henderson has the appended Question down on the Papers of the House tomorrow, I notice he has addressed it to the Prime Minister, but I venture to write to you as you handle most of these Questions in the House, to express the hope that at all events, the Frime Minister will not turn down hard the suggestion this Question contains.

Just at the present moment when America is moving its Fleet from the Atlantic to the Pacific and when we are in negotiation with Russia, one of whose fronts is in the Far East, it would, I think, be rather unfortunate to make them both feel that we dissociate ourselves from any sympathetic action we might reasonably be able to take in the Far East, along the lines suggested.

You will see from what I say that F think Mr. Henderson's Question will inspire very great general sympathy, and I am sure there must be many Members on our side who appreciate his motive in asking it.

Yours Jeuthfully

Fell Morgan

The Rt. Hon. R. A. Butler, M.P.,

The Foreign Office, S.W.1.

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