Winston Churchill to Franklin D. Roosevelt, November 16, 1940

Secretary of State,
Washington.

TRIPLE PRIORITY.

3771, November 16, 9 p.m.

PERSONAL AND SECRET FOR THE PRESIDENT FROM FORMER NAVAL PERSON.

"I am deeply obliged to you for the promptness of your action about the two big French ships. I am sure you will be pleased about Taranto. The three uninjured Italian battleships have quitted Taranto today, which perhaps means they are withdrawing to Trieste. I am writing you a very long letter on the outlook for 1941, which Lord Lothion will give you in a few days. I hope you get my personal telegram of congratulation."