Cordell Hull to Franklin D. Roosevelt (August 27, 1940)

by Cordell Hull

HSM

GRAY

London

Dated August 27, 1940

Rec'd 10:50 a. m.

Secretary of State,

Washington.

TRIPLE PRIORITY

2912, August 27, 5 p. m. (SECTION TWO)

You will remember that I said some months ago in one of my private cables to you that any such action on our part would be a dastard act and that in the opinion of everyone of us.

If you felt able after our offer had been made to let us have the instrumentalities which have been mentioned or anything else you think proper this could be expressed as an act not in payment or consideration for but in recognition of what we had done for the security of the United States.

Mr. President, this business has become especially urgent in view of the recent menace which Mussolini is showing to Greece. If our business is put through on big lines and in the highest spirit of good will it might even now save that small historic country from invasion and conquest. Even the next forty-eight hours are important."

(END MESSAGE]KENNEDY

RR