I have lately suggested following to British Ambassador. [1]

The United States has expressed, through the President [2], in
unmistakable terms, its interest in the survival of the British
countries and in the defeat of our enemies.

Both the President and Churchill have expressed on more than one
occasion-but on separate occasions and unilaterally-the conviction
that the continued existence of our respective countries is of
mutual and vital interest.

I suggest for consideration that at some early date these separate
statements of mutual interest should be brought together in
previously agreed parallel statements by Churchill and by the
President to the general effect that the mutuality of interest in
the defeat of Hitlerism makes a compelling case for wholehearted
mutual co-operation between the United States and the British
Commonwealth 'each in their respective spheres'.

Analogy might be employed that British Commonwealth and United
States are as essential to each other as one blade of pair of
scissors is to the other.

The wartime bait to America is British sea Power. The wartime bait
to Britain is American productive capacity. The mutual wartime and
postwar responsibility of both countries is that they are sole
trustees for decency and democracy in world.

Dependent on appropriate time and circumstances I suggest also for
consideration that, after appropriate consultation with Dominion
Governments, Churchill might make spontaneous public offer to
United States of either sites for American naval and air bases or
the joint use of existing bases in any part of the British Empire
or Commonwealth. If such an offer were to be accepted, even in
small degree, it would result in closer integration. Even if
nothing practical came out of such an offer, it could not fail to
be taken as a most generous and large-minded proposal on our part.

Whether or not above should be linked up with Lend Lease is matter
of judgement. Many sympathetic Americans believe that some big
gesture by British countries would be useful finally to wash out
dollar sign.

The bases in West Indies appealed profoundly to the American
Public. Security is watchword in United States at present. The
lack of adequate bases available to the United States at any
distance from their home shores is most marked and will be more so
in future years when the large American naval building programme
has broadly doubled the tonnage of the United States Navy.

Clearly, the timing and method of presentation of above, if
acceptable, Would need considerable thought and care, particularly
to avoid any suggestion that we are seeking publicly to capitalize
on a matter that might be said to have been inherent in the recent
naval staff talks. [3]