795B.551/7–2650: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 26—7:39 p. m.]
554. Personal eyes only for the Secretary. Further supplementing Embtel 5441 and 548, July 25, failed to mention HM’s offer will be to [Page 478] the United Nations in response to Trygve Lie’s call.2 US Government and Joint Chiefs of Staff can arrange for such details as have not already in advance of the notification to Trygve Lie been arranged.
I hope that when the announcement of the British contribution is made there will be a full explanation of the first-rate war the British have been fighting in Malaya against the Communist for some two years, of the position they are in at Hong Kong and the need for forces not only for the defence of the colony against attack from without but also for the security of the Colony against the widespread subversive elements that there are within. I hope too that an explanation will be made of the requirements for British troops to guard and defend the lifeline—the Middle East, and, finally, of the need for forces on this island which is so vulnerable to attack and so important hi general strategic plan.
I suggest it might be helpful also if it were made very clear that, notwithstanding all these world-wide demands on their military resources, British had contributed in initial stages greater naval forces, prior to the arrival of the Boxer, than we ourselves had in the Korean affair and that notwithstanding the exposed position of this island to hostile air attacks, she had made available a carrier.