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[F 2963/2963/61]
(No. 281.) Foreign Office,
Sir, March 24,1939.
THE United States Ambassador asked to see me this evening. Mr. Kennedy
began by telling me tJhat he thought His Majesty's Government would be pleased
to know that the President proposed to announce 25 the middle of April that
the United States fleet would return to the Pacific in May. That meant, so
I understood, that they would visit San Francisco and Honolulu. The
Ambassador said that it would have been usual for the fleet to remain three years
in the Atlantic, and the fact that it was to be moved back to the Pacific at a
date so very much earlier would not be without significance which would be
appreciated in Japan. The Ambassador went on to suggest that it might be
useful to us, should we so desire, to impart this information to the Australian
Government, having regard to something that I had said to him a short time
ago as to possible anxieties in that quarter.
KSUa-l
I am, with great truth and respect,
Sir,
Your Excellency's obedient Servant,
(For the Secretary of State)
A'
His Excellency
The Right Honourable
Sir Ronald Lindsay, G.C.M.G., K.C.B.,
etc,,     etc.,     etc. ,
Washington.