1. Have just received copy of Churchill's cablegram [1] some hours
after its despatch.

2. The statement regarding diversion convoy Northwards and
inability of some ships to reach Australia with their fuel
conflicts with information regarding movement of ships conveyed to
me and communicated to you in my P.47 and P.48. [2]

3. I am seeing Churchill who tonight is away from London first
thing Monday morning to secure an explanation of the alteration of
the previous instructions, of which alteration I was unaware.

4. Notwithstanding the natural resentment that your Government may
feel in the absence of some satisfactory explanation that such a
vital alteration has been made without prior reference I strongly
urge that recriminations should be avoided as they can only do
harm to our getting the maximum co-operative effort in the Allied
cause.

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