Cablegram 6 (extract) WASHINGTON, 5 January 1940, 11.17 p.m.
Information: Legation will of course be devoid of all information
except from sources one has opened up and the press unless some
arrangement is made with the Embassy. [1] Suggest I arrange to
continue to have access to press reports done by the British
Library of Information in New York and various consular reports on
which to a large extent my present information is based. As
regards information on the outside world, the Minister will, of
course, be making his own arrangements as regards Australia, but
as regards Europe suggest External Affairs in London be instructed
to send the Minister duplicates of all his information ‘Lon.’
letters, etc. and that I arrange with the Embassy to have access
to ‘Intel’ series of weekly political intelligence summaries, etc.
As we will be without any technical advisers, I suggest that the
Foreign Office be asked to allow us access to the three service
Attaches.
These proposals as regards information, etc., are, of course,
requests for facilities neither Canada nor South Africa enjoy, but
in view of our special relations here and in London, I do not
anticipate that the Foreign Office would raise any objection. [2]
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1 U.K. Embassy in Washington.
2 Hodgson replied: ‘Information: Mr. Stirling is being asked to
ascertain Foreign Office’s attitude as regards access to Service
Attaches at Embassy and also as to possibility of supply of copies
of Foreign Office print. He will be instructed to send duplicates
of his despatches and to repeat his more important telegrams.
Presume that “Intel” series covers adequate information conveyed
in Dominions Office “Intel” telegrams. If not, Mr. Stirling could
be asked to supplement. It is proposed that Legation should
receive regular information telegrams from here covering
Australian developments.’ (See cablegram 3 of 9 January 1940 on
file AA: A3300, 78.)
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[AA: A461, D703/1/2]
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