Foreign Relations of the United States, The Conferences at Washington, 1941–1942, and Casablanca, 1943

Hopkins Papers

The Secretary of the British Chiefs of Staff (Hollis) to the President’s Special Assistant (Hopkins)

secret

Washington, January 5, 1942.

Dear Mr. Hopkins: At a meeting this morning between the Prime Minister and the British Chiefs of Staff, during which the President came in for a few minutes, Mr. Churchill mentioned that the Dutch Government in London want to amend Annex 2 to General Wavell’s Directive which deals with the machinery for obtaining decisions on points which General Wavell may refer to higher authority.¹

2. The Dutch want to be taken into consultation in Washington as well as in London,² and you will remember that the arrangement was for the British Government to bring into consultation the Dutch and Dominion Governments in London and the final decision would be issued from Washington after American-British discussions only. Any other system would cause chaos and indefinite delay.

3. At the Prime Minister’s suggestion the President agreed that I should draft a reply to London explaining why we could not accept the Dutch proposal, but mentioning that of course it would be open to the ABDA machine in Washington to call in the Dutch Authorities if their advice was required on any particular point.

4. I attach a draft telegram to London which the Prime Minister says I am to send them subject to the President’s approval. If the President approves, I should indicate in the telegram that he has done so.

5. I attach a copy of the telegram from London (Flag ‘A’)³ as well as a copy of Annex 2 to General Wavell’s Directive (Flag ‘B’).¹

Yours sincerely,

L. C. Hollis

[Attachment]

Draft Telegram From Prime Minister Churchill to Foreign Secretary Eden

[1.] Your Taut 379.³

2. We are most anxious that Dutch views should be given fullest consideration at all stages of ABDA discussions.

3. If decisions are to be obtained quickly, however, representation on the High Executive Body in Washington, who will issue the final instruction to General Wavell, must be cut down to the smallest possible number. If Dutch have official status as members of the ABDA machine in Washington, Dominions will also demand representation resulting in confusion and delay.

4. For the above reason it was considered right that machinery for consulting Dutch and Dominion Governments should be centred in London, and that British Government should be responsible for obtaining their views and agreement and for forwarding them to Washington.

5. Naturally if Washington required information about local conditions or technical advice from the Dutch, their representatives would be consulted, but they would not attend meetings as a regular practice unless invited to do so.

6. Following amendments to Annex 2 to General Wavell’s Directive are, therefore, proposed.

Paragraph 1.	After “Minister of Defence”
	Insert “on behalf of ABDA Governments”.
Paragraph 2 (b).	After “London”
	Insert “having consulted Dutch Staff”.
Paragraph 3.	After “agreement”
	Insert “at every stage”.
Paragraph 4.	Delete “both of them”
	Substitute “the ABDA Governments and respective Governments will be fully informed”.

7. We feel sure that if given a trial Dutch Government will find this arrangement satisfactory.

1. This is the document entitled “Higher Direction of War in the ABDA Area”, dated December 30, 1941, ante, p. 288.
2. The amendments proposed by the Netherlands Government are attached to the letter of January 5 from Welles to Roosevelt, post, p. 308.
3. Not found.
1. This is the document entitled “Higher Direction of War in the ABDA Area”, dated December 30, 1941, ante, p. 288.
3. Not found.