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207522421
label
Anonymous Memorandum, England
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doc
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document
citationUrl
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1
Source metadata
id
207522421
contentType
document
title
Anonymous Memorandum, England
citationUrl
collections
President's Secretary's Files (Truman Administration)
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207522421
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item
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21
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1949-07-21
month
7
year
1949
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nara-archive
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1
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photo
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12f0df5467a2f46f
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ENGLAND
The atmosphere of England today is one of grim determination
touched with pessimism and embracing fear. The meals served at the
best hotels and restaurants are probably less adequate than those
enjoyed by the poorest people of America at the time of greatest
war shortages. Butter has just returned to the tables and an
individual is entitled at each meal to two very small pieces about
the size and thickness of a 25-cent piece. Clothing and shoes are
very badly worn. Within the last six months the shops have acquired
stocks of goods which are largely unavailable to British purchasers
because of the very tight rationing system.
The principal topic of conversation is the present dock strike.
It is commonly understood to be inspired by the Communists and the
British people are outraged and impatient with their Government for
not disposing of this strike.
Generally, the British people believe that the Labor Government
has gone too far too fast. There is doubt that this Government
would be returned in an election this fall. It appears more likely
that this Government will be defeated in an election in the spring
of 1950 if the economic problems have not substantially been solved.
It is commonly understood in England that the pound will be
devalued. In France, British textile salesmen are urging the
placing of orders conditioned upon the devaluation of the pound.
The Communist Party appears to be losing ground, although they
have been most successful in the propaganda predicting the
inevitability of an American depression. The majority of the
British people believe that such a depression is inevitable and merely
hope that it will be delayed until they have received the maximum aid
under the Marshall Plan (perhaps if this conviction is shared by the
British Government it may furnish the answer to the recent deals with
Argentina and Russia).
Many thoughtful Britons feel that the most desirable and probable
political developments are:
1. A coalition Government.
RECORDS
SERVIGES
to
2. A victory for the present Labor Government but by a very
small majority which would restrain and sober Government
policies and programs.
(The above report was prepared at the request of HST on July 7,
1949, and was delivered to him with an oral report substantially the
same July 21, 1949. He expressed his appreciation of this report which
apparently was the very kind he was looking for.)