85 Mr S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner in London, to Mr R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister
Cablegram 153 LONDON, 29 February 1940, 7.40 p.m.
MOST SECRET FOR THE PRIME MINISTER
War Cabinet this morning decided proposals for action in Norwegian
territorial waters and transit [sic] [1] contemplated statement
should not be proceeded with. [2]
1 Bruce's file copy (on AA: M100, February 1940) read 'issue of'.
2 The reasons for this decision were set out in the U.K. Dominions
Secretary's cablegram Z22 of 2 March 1940 to Sir Geoffrey
Whiskard, U.K. High Commissioner in Australia (on file AA: A1608,
H41/1/2). The U.K. Govt feared that action in Norwegian
territorial waters might alienate Norway, Sweden and other neutral
countries, thereby prejudicing not only assistance to Finland but
also the supply of raw materials and ships vital to the United
Kingdom. On 3 March Whiskard sent a copy of the cablegram to
Menzies with a letter (on file AA: A1608, H41/1/2) conveying
Eden's thanks for the full and prompt expression of the
Commonwealth Govt's views, which were fully taken into account by
the U.K. War Cabinet.
[AA: A981, EUROPE 30, ii]
