740.0011 Pacific War/741: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 7—10:40 p.m.]
5929. Personal to the Secretary for the President. It was great to talk to you. The Prime Minister is calling Parliament to meet at 3 o’clock this afternoon. Would it be best for him to ask for a declaration of war at that time or simply describe what had taken place and say that we would ask for a declaration of war within an hour after we had declared war which he has pledged to do?
I am thinking of the difference in time and that you might want to address the joint session prior to a British declaration of war.
The Prime Minister wanted you to know that he sent the following private and secret message to de Valera:7
“Now is your chance. Now or never! A nation once again! I am very ready to meet you at any time.”
If you also would like to send de Valera a message you might want me to deliver it. We are old friends and I understand he gives me some credit for persuading the government here to abandon conscription in Northern Ireland.
I hope people at home will relate the tactic pursued and the action taken by Japan to German instigation and collaboration under the tripartite pact.
I am back at the Embassy.
- Eamon de Valera, Irish Prime Minister.↩