I have excellent reasons to believe that there is a grave risk of
Lloyd George [1] being made British Ambassador to U.S.A. [2] This
is viewed with real alarm in high quarters here. I understand that
the matter is one of urgency. Perhaps you may be able to do
something about it. I have told the Australian High Commissioner
in Canada [3] for the personal information of the Prime Minister
of Canada [4] and similarly the Minister of South Africa [5] for
the Prime Minister of South Africa. [6] Principal reason of my
alarm is that Lloyd George regarded here, from his recent writings
in newspapers, as favouring appeasement and negotiable peace; and
his appointment would make the President's [7] task far more
difficult. The British Ambassador at Washington has to believe
passionately in the urgent necessity of victory by force of arms.

Preferable [8] to be positive force that will dissipate doubts and
not negatively encourage them.

The President and leading Cabinet ministers are sound but the
majority of the leading figures in the industrial and financial
world here are drifting towards eventual peace, that we know would
be no peace. Whilst I can naturally quote no names you can take it
that the above is the best possible opinion here. Anyone of the
following-Halifax [9], Eustace Percy [10] or Herbert Morrison [11]
would be acceptable here.

CASEY