Have received following cable from Moore in reply to my enquiry as
to the progress of the late Senator Keane's negotiations. [1]
Begins:

'The Lend Lease and Reciprocal Lend Lease negotiations had reached
critical and concluding stages. Top level negotiator should not
been [2] brought in to discussions as we were reserving these for
our final appeal. I have had discussions since Senator Keane's
death with two of top level commission who had not been brought
into negotiations and find their attitude much more sympathetic.

[3]

Strictly for your information and McFarlane's. United States
negotiators with whom we have been negotiating had proposed that
Australia pay 100 million dollars in settlement. Senator Keane and
I have adhered to the washout settlement based on our overall
effort under reciprocal lend lease and the aid rendered by
Australia which has not been brought into reciprocal lend lease
figures.

My own feeling is that I will be able to handle the negotiations
effectively, provided I can get two or three decisions from Mr.

Chifley, when he is in Washington from 7th to 9th May. If I can
obtain these decisions, I do not think it would be necessary to
send a Minister from Australia. It would be exceedingly difficult
for him to take up the threads at this stage, to get to know the
United States Negotiators, to absorb the atmosphere to the
negotiations and its general background.

I think it would be preferable for you to leave this matter remain
open until Mr. Chifley's visit to Washington where-upon I could
give you a further report.'

Have given copy of cable to Dedman and McFarlane.