Memorandum from Acting Secretary of State Dean Acheson to President Harry S. Truman, with Attachments
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OCR Page 1 of 21ADDRESS OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS TO
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
WASHINGTON, D. C.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON
September 28, 1945
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Visit of Prime Minister of Canada
Ambassador Atherton recommends that you ask Mr.
King to give serious thought to the following matter.
I agree with Mr. Atherton that it would be desirable to
do so but not, at this first discussion of the subject,
to press it further. The question also involves British
interests and British Commonwealth relationships.
The Canadian Armed Forces adhere in general to
British training methods, follow British patterns of
organization and adopt British weapons as standard in
Canada. The basic defense interests of the United
States and, we believe, Canada would be better served
if the Canadian forces adopted American standards. The
present war has proved that British materiel is in-
sufficient and that we are the vital "arsenal of democ-
racy"
The first target of a future aggressor would
probably be that arsenal, North America. The Arctic
rim of Canada stands on the approaches to our continent.
North America, in fact the democracies in general,
will speak with greater authority at the conference
tables in peacetime if they are well integrated for de-
fense. Such integration should take place now, when
it is not directed at a potential aggressor rather than
later when such an aggressor may conceivably have ap-
peared. Integration of military forces is, in fact,
taking place in eastern and southern Europe now.
The foregoing does not appear to us as a matter
for consideration solely by the military. It should be
considered by the heads of governments and those who
contribute to the formulation of foreign policy. Any
agreed policy should then be rendered effective by the
military.
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