Cablegram 147 LONDON, 27 February 1940, 5.30 p.m.
MOST IMMEDIATE FOR THE PRIME MINISTER MOST SECRET
Norwegian territorial waters. War Cabinet resuming consideration
tomorrow night. Most desirable that your views available before
the meeting. Am cabling communication to the United Kingdom
Government from the Prime Minister of South Africa. [1]
BRUCE
1 See Bruce's cablegram 148 of 27 February 1940 on file AA: A981,
Europe 30, ii. General Smuts argued that while there was a good
case for anti-German action in Norwegian territorial waters it
should not be allowed to prejudice the more important issue of
assistance to Finland. The latter could be justified by the
declaration of the U.S.S.R. as an aggressor under the League of
Nations Covenant, so that if Norway and Sweden refused to grant
passage to troops the Allies would be able to seize ports of
transit.
[AA: A981, EUROPE 30, ii]
