740.00111A Ports/54a
The Secretary of State to Diplomatic Officers in the American Republics
Sirs: The Department of State has been informed by the British Embassy that a considerable number of British merchant vessels are being equipped with fighter aircraft to be used solely for defensive purposes. The Embassy stated:
[Here follows text of paragraph 3 (with the omission of the first two sentences), paragraph 4, and paragraph 5 of the British aide-mémoire of April 7, 1941, printed on page 387.]
The Department of State replied to the British Embassy on July 24, 1941, as follows:
[Here follows the text of the second paragraph of aide-mémoire to the British Embassy, dated July 24, 1941, printed on page 392.]
You are requested to bring the foregoing to the attention of the government to which you are accredited.
Very truly yours,