800.796/7–2144
Memorandum by the Chief of the Aviation Division (Morgan) to the Assistant Secretary of State (Berle)
Mr. Berle: I invited Peter Masefield to lunch today, with Tony Satterthwaite, and I gathered from Peter that Beaverbrook probably would like to confine his talks to a series of confidential informal discussions with you in an effort to convert you to the British way of thinking. At the same time if he did not succeed in this it might be easier for him to yield ground in talks limited to just the two of you than in a group discussion.
[Page 512]However, I do think that while he is here we should have group discussions and put our talks with the British on the same semiformal basis that they have been held with the others. Probably both methods could advantageously be followed, the private talks paving the way for the group discussions. I am sure that none of your associates would object to your talking with Beaverbrook apart from the rest.
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