As no time to consult you, I have advised the United Kingdom
Government that I am confident that your view would be that
Hitler's proposals [1] must be treated with the utmost seriousness
and that reply must be on the grand scale and not limited to the
Polish issue and reiterated our determination to stand behind
Poland. Reason for my action without waiting your views is the
need of countering the influence of those who claim that the
proposals amounted to no more than an attempt to obtain a free
hand against Poland by vague suggestions of a comprehensive offer
to Great Britain after Polish-German problem solved. While this
view quite possibly correct to base a reply upon assumption that
it is would in my view be a grave mistake because
(a) We would miss a great opportunity to put ourselves right with
the public opinion of the world;

(b) If Hitler is now as a result of conversation with General
Staff and economic and financial advisers (until the last few days
it appears that they have had little opportunity to put their
views, Hitler almost entirely relying on Ribbentrop [2]) convinced
of the dangers of war and desirous of finding a way out it would
be a great mistake to close the door.

I have strongly urged that a reply should be down the lines- [3]
taking the proposals at face value and after (? in) [4] dealing
with Poland, necessity for settlement by negotiation and for a
just and reasonable settlement with proper guarantees, and our
obligation to support Poland in obtaining this reply should on
wider issues emphasise the necessity for their being faced and
express our willingness to co-operate in the fullest and most
generous way towards finding a solution of them.

BRUCE