740.0011 European War 1939/3870
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The Australian Minister15 called at his request. He took as his text the joint view of himself and Minister Bruce, now representing Australia in London, to the effect that Germany could, in their judgment, capture Great Britain. He was very emphatic in expressing this view. The Minister indicated that since this country was doing about all it could in every legitimate and practical way to sell equipment and supplies to the Allied belligerents, he would be extremely interested to see this Government make a declaration of war. I promptly said to him that this was unthinkable in the present situation. I then reviewed just what was being done. He stated that the moral effect of a declaration of war by the United States would be very great. I again summarily dismissed this idea and reminded him that this country was doing all possible in the circumstances, as stated, without becoming involved in a military war or making a military alliance. This was about the burden of the conversation.
- Richard G. Casey.↩