Scope and Contents The collection held at Churchill Archives Centre comprises Roberts' personal papers and includes: photographs, press cuttings and some correspondence relating to Roberts' diplomatic career and postings to Bonn and Moscow; material relating to international organisations (NATO, the British Atlantic Committee and the Atlantic Treaty Association); annotated proofs of Roberts' book "Dealing with Dictators" (published in 1991); correspondence between Roberts and his parents; photographs; and...

Scope and Contents Top copy of WSC's speaking notes for his speech at Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri [United States]. WSC begins by thanking President [Harry Truman] and explaining that he is speaking with "no official mission or status". The speech covers various subjects including: the responsibility of the United States and Britain to secure peace; the role of the United Nations and the need for an international armed force; predictions of the Cold War; education; international affairs; the...

Scope and Contents Speech notes for WSC's speech (19 September, University of Zurich [Switzerland]) entitled "The Tragedy of Europe" including: the need for a “United States of Europe” and the Council of Europe; reflection on the roles of the United Nations and the League of Nations; the need to act quickly to avoid another war and for faith on the part of the peoples of Europe; warnings about the spread of information about nuclear weapons; and the importance of Great Britain, the Commonwealth, the United...

Scope and Contents Notes for WSC's speech (18 June) entitled "Their Finest Hour" on subjects including: fighting in France; the importance of unity and respect for government Ministers; preparations, defence and forces for fighting invasion by Germany, the strength of the Royal Navy; the campaign in Norway; forecasting the Battle of Britain and the determination of the RAF; support from the Dominions. He ends "Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and...

Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The programme comprises transcripts of interviews with senior diplomats.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to Marshal Stalin marked 'most secret and personal' in which he reports that 375 Hurricanes and 285 Airocobras and Kittyhawks for Russia were in the cancelled convoys (JW 54 and 55); discusses the practical difficulties in arranging for the aircraft and accompanying spare parts to be transported to Russia; offers a maximum of 60 Hurricane IID airoplanes, discussing their advantages and successes against Rommel's tanks in Tunisia; and reassures Stalin that he is determined...

Scope and Contents Copy of a letter from WSC to President [Roosevelt] referring to a late night discussion on the importance of co-operation between UK and US "cipher people". He says that although naval ciphers are frankly discussed between the two Intelligence Services, the UK appears to lack information about the US diplomatic and military ciphers and that he had ordered intelligence work on US ciphers to cease once the two countries became allies. He asks the President to handle the issue personally and...

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Letter from Dr Eduard Benes [former President of the Czechoslovak Republic, later Czech Republic and Slovakia] (26 Gwendolen Avenue, Putney [London]) to WSC congratulating him on his appointment to the Cabinet [as First Lord of the Admiralty], thanking him for "all the great services" to the [Czech] people, and offering support in the war "for the reestablishment of the sound principles in international politics and for justice towards small attacked peoples".Signed typescript.

Scope and Contents Draft speaking notes for WSC's broadcast to the United States([United States National Broadcasting Company]) entitled "The defence of freedom and peace" on the need for the democracies, including the United States, to unite against the dictatorships. At the start of the speech WSC says that it may not be possible to broadcast to the US in future because "The stations are closing down; the lights are going out". Issues covered include: the consequences of the "abandonment" of Czechoslovakia...

Scope and Contents Printed proofs of WSC's broadcast to the United States (16 October 1938, [United States National Broadcasting Company]) entitled "The defence of freedom and peace" on the need for the democracies, including the United States, to unite against the dictatorships. At the start of the speech WSC says that it may not be possible to broadcast to the US in future because "The stations are closing down; the lights are going out". Issues covered include: the consequences of the "abandonment" of...

Scope and Contents Copy of a letter from WSC to the President of the United States [President Dwight Eisenhower] marked "top secret: private and personal" in which he apologises for the delay in replying to Eisenhower; comments on the possibilities of the French delaying ratification [of the European Defence Community]; agrees that there can be no Four Power conference before ratification; discusses the increase in the Soviet Union's nuclear power; Great Britain's nuclear capability in the atomic and hydrogen...

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Copy of a letter from WSC to [Dwight Eisenhower, President of the United States] marked "private and secret" in which he discusses his need to do his duty; explains that he is not seeking a "dramatic exit" but feels that East-West liaison through Foreign Offices will not produce a decisive result; and explains the reasons for his belief that there should be a summit meeting between himself, [Eisenhower], and the new leaders of the Soviet Union. Unsigned typescript.

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Telegram from WSC to [Dwight Eisenhower] President of the United States marked "top secret" including the text of his message to [Vyacheslav] Molotov [Soviet Foreign Minister] suggesting a Two Power meeting between the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, and the text of the response from Molotov expressing sympathy for the proposal. Typescript.

Scope and Contents Copy of a letter from WSC to [Dwight Eisenhower] President of the United States marked "private & personal" on East West trade; explaining his hopes to ease relations with the Soviet Union and that development of life in the Soviet Union and enjoyment of consumer goods may relax the "grim discipline"; he feels that weapons and military equipment should not be exported to the Soviet Union, but that the export of many items should not be banned because they might be used for military...

Scope and Contents Copy of a letter from WSC to [Dwight Eisenhower] President of the United States marked "most secret and confidential" on subjects including: agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States on key principles; the nuclear test at Eniwetok Atoll and implications for London "I am told that several million people would certainly be obliterated by four or five of the latest H bombs"; statements by Sterling Cole; the Soviet Union's nuclear capability; the responsibility conferred by the...

Scope and Contents Copy of a letter from WSC to "Ike" [Dwight Eisenhower], President of the United States marked "most secret and personal" in which he explains that he suffered a stroke which paralysed his left side and affected his speech and so was not able to accompany him as planned. He discusses a previous stroke in 1949 which has been kept secret, and hopes that he will be able to continue to pursue his "theme". He also discusses negotiations with Egypt and expresses confidence in [5th Lord] Salisbury...

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Copy of a telegram from WSC to Dwight Eisenhower, President of the United States, with a draft of a proposed personal message from WSC to [Vyacheslav] Molotov [Soviet Foreign Minister] suggesting that he visits Moscow, because of the illness of [Anthony] Eden [later 1st Lord Avon], in order to "restore an easy and friendly basis" between the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. Carbon typescript.

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Telegram from WSC to Dwight Eisenhower, President of the United States, marked "personal and private" on the improvement in the Soviet "mood" and the need for continued vigilance and defensive rearmament; explaining that the British Ambassador to the Soviet Union [Sir William Hayter] has been instructed to settle minor points with the Soviets; and the need for close co-operation. Typescript.

Scope and Contents Copy of a letter from "Ike" [Dwight Eisenhower, President of the United States] (The White House) to WSC marked "eyes only- top secret" in which he reflects on WSC's desires to make a joint pronouncement; to transfer responsibility to his successor [Anthony Eden, later 1st Lord Avon]; and to achieve a recognisable milestone towards peace which [Eisenhower] feels lies behind WSC's attempts to meet [Vyacheslav] Molotov [Soviet Union Foreign Minister]. He suggests that WSC might make a speech...

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Copy of a letter from "Ike" [Dwight Eisenhower, President of the United States] (The White House, Washington) to WSC marked "top secret" thanking him for his comments on his speech. He feels that they should not rush the next step with the Soviet Union and should delay seeking a Four Power summit or personal contact, although he asks for as much notice as possible should WSC seek personal contact "for some special and local reason." Typescript.

Scope and Contents Copy of a letter from "Ike" [Dwight Eisenhower] President of the United States to WSC commenting "You did not let any grass grow under your feet"; asking for advance notice of any public announcement about WSC's personal message to the Soviet Union; discussing a possible statement by Eisenhower; emphasising the importance of delicate handling to avoid the impression that Eisenhower had sanctioned the approach, or that there was disagreement between the United Kingdom and the United States....

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Copy of a letter from "Ike" [Dwight Eisenhower, President of the United States] (The White House, Washington} to WSC marked "personal" expressing pleasure at WSC's good health; commenting on outbursts by [Vyacheslav] Molotov [Soviet Union Foreign Minister]; the importance of unity between free nations; and future history and legacy of leaders. Typescript.

Scope and Contents Speech notes for WSC's speech (10 December, House of Commons) on foreign affairs including: the partition of Ireland and imperial preference; relations with the United States; the achievements of General Dwight Eisenhower; government policy regarding Germany and assistance to the people of Berlin; the progress of European integration; affairs in Palestine and Spain; and the likelihood of war with the Soviet Union.Typescript speaking notes laid out in "psalm style" to aid delivery with...

Scope and Contents Letter from Clement Attlee, Prime Minister (10, Downing Street) to WSC marked "top secret" enclosing a note about the circumstances in which the clause in the Quebec Agreement was allowed to lapse which provided that neither the United States nor the United Kingdom would use the [atomic] bomb against third parties without the consent of the other. He explains: that the Americans were keen to get rid of the clause because Congress had not been informed about it and it went beyond the terms...

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Letter from Harry Truman [President of the United States] (The White House, Washington) to WSC explaining that he does not wish to publish the Quebec Agreement as requested by WSC because it will lead to requests for information about the current status of collaboration between the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States and that this would jeopardise the countries and NATO Allies.Signed typescript.