Cablegram 387 LONDON, 2 September 1939, 3.29 p.m.
FOR PRIME MINISTER MOST SECRET
As indicated in my telegram to the Prime Minister [1], the
statement that the Ambassador [2] would ask for his passport was
departed from and the procedure indicated in Dominions Office
cable has been followed. [3] Owing to the French urgently desiring
a few more hours to complete mobilisation if reply refusing
cessation of hostilities and withdrawal is received before the
French are ready, ultimatum will be handed to the Germans expiring
at an hour which gives the French the necessary time. If reply
received soon after such hour, immediate declaration of war will
be made. If further delay in receiving reply, action will be
taken, whether with or without further communication of views not
yet decided.
Position therefore at the moment actual state of war does not
exist.
Fighting of the lightest possible character so far and the Poles
have not been pushed back.
This fact plus information from the Ambassador at Berlin points to
the possibility that German reply may contain further attempt to
avoid war.
The Prime Minister [4] is making statement at 2.45 and indicating
will probably interrupt proceedings to make further statement
later.
BRUCE
[AA: A981, GERMANY 83B, iii]