Circular cablegram D18 LONDON, 12 January 1940, 10.55 p.m.
MOST SECRET AND PERSONAL
Following for the Prime Minister, begins:-
Consideration has recently been given to the desirability of
issuing, on some suitable occasion, a joint Anglo-French
declaration engaging not to conclude a separate Peace. It has been
[ascertained] [1] that the French Government are in favour of this
proposal which it is thought would be of value primarily from a
psychological point of view and for countering German propaganda
designed to drive a wedge between the Allies.
2. A draft declaration has been prepared in the following form:-
‘The undersigned duly authorised thereto by their respective
Governments declare as follows:-
The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland and the Government of the French Republic mutually
undertake that during the present war they will neither negotiate
nor conclude an armistice or Treaty of Peace except by mutual
agreement.’
3. His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom would be glad to
learn whether His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of
Australia would wish to be associated with such a declaration. In
that event it is suggested that the following wording should be
substituted at the beginning of the second Sentence:-
‘The Governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, the Commonwealth
of Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa and the
Government of the French Republic.’
4. It will be observed that the draft set out in paragraph two
above does not exclude the possibility of separate agreements
being concluded by each of Dominion Governments but it is
unnecessary to emphasise the enhanced effect of the solidarity
which would result from joint signature by five of His Majesty’s
Governments.
5. The Government of India are being consulted as to whether they
would wish to be included.
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1 This word has been inserted from the Dominions Office copy in
PRO: DO 114/113.
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[FA: A3195, 1.294]
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