Stimson Papers
Memorandum by Secretary Stimson
Memorandum of Decisions at White House Sunday, December 21, 1941
Iceland
Complete American garrison.
King considers American occupation vital to his problem of protecting the northeastern passage for convoys.
British Isles
Call attention of British to condition of defenses.
Strengthen mobile defense by landing at least two divisions in North Ireland and relieving the British divisions there for use in the defense of England and Scotland.
The President reported the failure of all efforts to get the cooperation of de Valera.
No further depletion of Atlantic fleet.
Far Eastern Situation
British to furnish reenforcements from India and to guard the Indian Ocean as far as Africa.
U.S. to establish base on Australia and to secure communications with that across the Pacific.
China to be asked to defend herself, protect Burma, and provide facilities for air attacks on Japan.
U.S. Asiatic fleet to be strengthened if possible and to be used more vigorously in patrolling southwestern Pacific.
Russia not to be pressed for action in Siberia but to be invited to join in declaration of ABCD countries with that reservation.
Other Secondary Areas
West Africa considered foremost.
Azores subordinated.
Verdes to be studied.
Northwestern coast to be studied.
[Page 58]Iran placed ahead of Egypt.
No troops to either except air force in Egypt.
Supplies to be continued to both.
Supreme War Council to be established in Washington.
Ditto Joint Planning Committee and Joint Supply Committee.
- The paper is undated but was attached to the entry in Stimson’s diary for December 21, 1941. At this point in his diary Stimson added the following in longhand: “For purposes of precaution I have not recorded the decisions made in the above matters which we discussed but they are far-reaching.” A further notation by his secretary indicates that the record of decisions (which had been kept in Stimson’s safe) was attached to the diary in April 1946.↩