Office of the Historian

740.0011 European War 1939/8564: Telegram

The Minister in Egypt (Fish) to the Secretary of State

Cairo, February 22, 1941—5 p.m.
[Received February 23—9:05 a.m.]

86. Referring to the Legation’s No. 82, February 20, 5 p.m., in a conference of Eden, Dill and Wavell yesterday certain tentative [Page 649] decisions were reached which will be submitted to Greece and Turkey. Halifax26 is as yet unaware of their proposals but will be advised when the final decision is taken.

In considering these problems the British chiefs have consulted Donovan who states that the British are seriously perturbed by the shortage of equipment and stress particularly the vital need for shipping. In this latter connection Donovan was specifically requested by Eden to have transmitted a message to the President of which the following is a paraphrase:

(1)
It is evident that, regardless of how the situation in Southeastern Europe may develop, any British effort in this area is certain to place a heavy additional strain on British shipping resources which are already severely limited.
(2)
The only way to meet requirements is by using ships arriving in convoys from England, inasmuch as no shipping is available locally to this extent east. As a consequence the arrival of subsequent urgently needed supplies is delayed.
(3)
Any action which might be taken by the United States with a view to making neutral or other shipping available at an early date would constitute an important contribution to Britain’s war effort.

I gather that the circumstances of Donovan’s being here at this time may have played an important part in the decisions which the British have taken.

Fish
  1. Viscount Halifax, British Ambassador in the United States.↩