356

Mr R. G. Casey, Minister to the United States, to Dr H. V. Evatt, Minister for External Affairs

Cablegram 332 WASHINGTON, 21 February 1942, 4 a.m.

Following personal for Minister External Affairs from justice Frankfurter. [1]

[Begins] I have seen, of course most privately and confidentially, your message to Casey [2] and President’s reply. [3] I can assure you of most anxious and sympathetic understanding here of the circumstances and the needs immediately touching the Commonwealth.

I know that point of view of the President is taken in full light of the whole situation and I believe in the interests of Australia in the long run and which may not be a very long run. Regards.

[Ends]

CASEY

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1 Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was a friend of Roosevelt and had met Evatt when the latter was a Justice of the High Court of Australia.

2 See Document 354, note 1. In cablegram 322 of 20 February Casey asked whether he should inform the U.K. Joint Staff Mission in Washington and Harry L. Hopkins (Adviser to President Franklin D.

Roosevelt) of the contents of cablegram 35. The Commonwealth Govt agreed (cablegram 216 of 20 February) and also asked that Frankfurter be informed. The cablegrams are on file AA:A981, War 33, attachment B.

3 Document 355.

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[AA:A981, WAR 33, ATTACHMENT B]