I have your telegram WINCH No. 7 [2] and am grateful to you for
sending it for our guidance.

I most cordially concur in your action in addressing the President
[3] in the terms you have used. Your suggestion is in accord with
the views expressed at the War Cabinet yesterday. [4] However, I
make this further suggestion. In our view if we are to effectively
deter Japan from an aggressive move, a greater concentration of
naval strength (not necessarily all British) is desirable. I
believe that Japan's obstinacy is grounded in the belief that
America would, at the best, be slow to come in and that from many
(corrupt group ? causes) a time lag in American shooting would be
inevitable.

If in addition the President could be got to the point of giving
effect to your strong personal appeal this would be a complete
deterrent to Japan's entry into the war.

CURTIN