740.00119 European War 1939/807
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Secretary of State
Mr. Butler58 of the British Embassy called to see me this afternoon at his request. Mr. Butler read to me a telegram received from his Foreign Office which gave information coming from what was regarded as a trustworthy source in Switzerland. This information alleged that Hitler was going to conclude his campaign in Russia after he had occupied Leningrad and Moscow and alleged that Hitler refused to permit himself to be drawn into protracted warfare in Russia. The report further said that as soon as this was done peace proposals to Great Britain would be put out. It was further alleged that the French Ambassador in Washington59 was continuously cabling the French Foreign Minister, Admiral Darlan, that if peace proposals of this character were made the isolationist sentiment in the United States was so strong that the majority of the American people would undoubtedly support it and would consequently hinder the carrying out by the President of his present policy.