WASHINGTON
August 7, 1941.
PERSONAL
My dear Lord Halifax:
In accordance with the request I received from
you this morning I am enclosing herewith paraphrases
of the two messages of which I spoke and which are
dated August 5 and August 6, respectively.
Believe me
Enclosures
The Right Honorable
The Viscount Halifax, K.G.,
British Ambassador.
PARAPHRASE
Telegram from the American Embassy, London, dated
August 5, 1941, 10 p.m., received August 5, 19$L,
5:22 p.m.
For Secretary Hull.    Most secret and personal.
This afternoon I called at the Foreign Office at
the request of the Foreign Secretary who told me that,
with regard to the present actions of Mr. Churchill,
very clever guess work had been made or a leakage had
occurred.    Last night at 8:15 the German radio broad-
casted the report as originating in Lisbon.    Today by
putting pieces together the press correspondents in
London have reached identical conclusions.    Mr. Churchill
had forseen the possibility of a leakage and had pre-
pared a statement before his departure for publication
only in that event.    In case a statement should have to
be made public tomorrow, as forseen by the Foreign Sec-
retary, the British Government would wish our approval
before doing so.    Although the British Government hopes
that a statement will not have to be made, the Foreign
Secretary believes, if it should be necessary to issue
such a statement, that it would be preferable to do so
tomorrow at the House of Commons, in view of the fact
that questions would be asked concerning the absence of
Atlee and Mr. Churchill, thus furnishing the occasion
for making the statement.    The draft statement suggested

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by Mr. Churchill is as follows: "It was agreed that
the President of the United States and Mr. Churchill
should meet (at the suggestion of the former) in order
to discuss the following subjects:   methods of U.S.aid
to Great Britain, questions of interest to both coun-
tries, and a general discussion of the course the war
is taking.    Accompanying Mr. Churchill are the Permanent
Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the First
Sea Lord and the Chief of the Imperial General Staff.
On a vessel somewhere in the Atlantic the above-mentioned
officials are holding this meeting.    With regard to the
date of Mr. Churchill's return or the questions under
discussion at this meeting, at the present time nothing
further can be stated."
President Roosevelt may wish to issue a similar
statement to the American people if it becomes necessary
to publish Mr.  Churchill's statement in England.    I was
told by the Foreign Secretary that it v/ould be most
useful to him to receive an answer, if he could receive
it tomorrow afternoon before four o'clock London time,
stating whether v/e concur in this statement or giving
any views which we may wish to express.    Mr. Eden stated
that, if there is no reply, he v/ould inform the House of
Commons that at this time he had nothing to say.

PARAPHRASE
Telegram to London from the Department of State dated
August 6, 1941, 3 a.m.
For Ambassador V/Inant.   Most secret and personal.
The President's answer to your telegram of the
fifth of August is as follows:      "To make any statement
at this time is highly inadvisable.    That Mr. Churchill
is taking a short vacation, in my judgment, is all that
need be said.    It is especially inadvisable to refer to
the officials who are accompanying him.    The possibility
of an attack by the Germans upon the Prime Minister and
his party on their outward and return voyage would be
greatly increased if such a statement were published
at this time.    Say nothing when there is doubt."