740.0011 European War 1939/20758
The Under Secretary of State (Welles) to the British Ambassador (Halifax)
My Dear Ambassador: I have received your letter of October 18 by means of which you were good enough to communicate to me a message from Sir Alexander Cadogan relative to the intention of the British Government to make a public statement to the effect that after the war the Senussis in Cyrenaica shall in no circumstances again fall under Italian domination.
[Page 35]I shall be grateful if you will be kind enough to transmit the following message for me to Sir Alexander Cadogan in acknowledgement of his message:
“Lord Halifax has transmitted to me your message informing me that you are considering the early publication of a declaration to the effect that after the war the Senussis in Cyrenaica shall in no circumstances again fall under Italian domination. I have taken pleasure in submitting your message to the President for his information.
“In reply I am glad to let you know that this Government greatly appreciates the courtesy of your Government in giving us this information. We have taken due note of the contents of your message but we have no comments to offer and no suggestions to make.”
Believe me [etc.]