740.0011 P.W./900: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State and the President
5974. Personal and most secret to the Secretary for the President.
The Prime Minister, as you will have seen in the press, announced to the Parliament at 11 o’clock this morning the loss of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse. I was with him last night and saw him immediately following the announcement and have been constantly with him over the last few days. It seemed best to me that certain information should go from him direct to you rather than through the Embassy. I hope you and the Secretary approve. He feels that [Page 7] information from the Pacific calls for reconsideration of planning as you already know. Discouragements seem only to give him new courage and add to his determination.
Your speech to the Congress was carried on the BBC. It gave people great confidence here. I listened to your talk to the Nation last night. There was serious interference but it was repeated this morning, again at noon on the NBC [BBC?]. People here assume that we are in the total war together. News from the Middle East and Russia is good.