741.53/10–2143: Telegram
The British Prime Minister (Churchill) to President Roosevelt 77
444. Your 376.78 I fully recognize all the advantages set forth. Our forces were admitted to these islands on October 8th and publicity will be given on the 12th. It will be necessary to see what the German reaction is. If as I expect it is merely abusive, Salazar will be reassured and I will then immediately ask Salazar either by a direct message or through our Ambassador that you should have the necessary facilities for the ferry service which is of vital consequence and I will explain or have explained the full force of the argument to him.
- 2.
- I shall of course agree that Salazar has taken the plunge and to a large extent joined the Allies and that he runs no greater risk by your being in the islands too. On the contrary, by so doing he gets added support and the friendship of the United States and American guarantee about respecting Portuguese colonies similar to that which we have given. I assume that I may make full play with this argument since we already informed the Portuguese last June, on your authority, that we understood that the United States Government would associate itself with our Colonial guarantees. I have also received Mr. Winant’s message that your Chargé d’Affaires at Lisbon has been instructed to communicate such guarantees only if requested to do so by Dr. Salazar. It should therefore be possible to keep this card in our hand for the present and it should assist us materially in playing our game.
- 3.
- I am communicating through the State Department a Portuguese communication showing that they contemplate eventually taking an active part in the war at least in the Far East.79 Our task will be much easier if and when Portugal joins us as a belligerent, and it is very much better in these matters to work things up gradually.
- 4.
- Supposing that Salazar refuses, being afraid you will stay there after the war and of the ambitions of Pan American Airways, I will immediately report to you. Then is the moment for your Ambassador to come forward or for you to address Salazar personally, it being of course understood that we shall give you fullest help and support by every means. We have in any case already provided under our own agreement with Portugal for the arrival of the first mixed convoy early November to which you refer in your 375.80 I agree with detailed arrangements proposed in that telegram which should not give rise to any difficulties. I hope the Portuguese may be brought along in a friendly way and that they will listen to the many good reasons we can both advance for their doing so.
- 5.
- Pray let me know how you view this programme.