Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally

Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally

187 Mr S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner in London, to Mr R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister

Cablegram 286 LONDON, 29 April 1940, 6.15 p.m.

FOR THE PRIME MINISTER MOST SECRET

Czechoslovakia My telegram No. 11 of 5th January. [1] When Benes [2] came to see me I told him that copies of the letters exchanged between Halifax [3] and myself [4] had been sent on to you and that you would doubtless communicate your views in due course. I was particularly careful to make it clear to him that Australian recognition of the Czechoslovak National Committee could only be for the purpose of his recruiting effort for Czechoslovak forces.

Benes has again approached Eden [5] stating that he has received favourable answer as regards New Zealand and South Africa and Eden asks if the Commonwealth Government will expedite its decision.

BRUCE

1 Document 4.

2 Chairman of the Czechoslovak National Committee. Bruce's note of this meeting with Benes on 9 January 1940 is on file AA: M100, January 1940.

3 U.K. Foreign Secretary. Copies of the letters exchanged between Halifax and Benes were forwarded to Bruce and to the Commonwealth Govt. (See files AA: M100, January 1940 and AA: A1608, B41/1/3, iii.) 4 ? himself.

5 U.K. Dominions Secretary.

[AA: A981, CZECHOSLOVAKIA 6]

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