Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

My dear P.M.,

I write this private note to tell you that I have arrived-and am
over the most acute stage of official introductions-Sir J.C. [1]
has been most helpful from the start-and is making the way easy as
far as he can. I think quite luckily Shepherd (Official Secretary)
[2] is away in Geneva (Opium Conference) -and I am installed in an
office (particularly good one too) in Australia House-but not of
it. Once Sir J.C. became seized of your intentions with regard to
direct communications with me-he set about having the matter put
down in black & white-and on file for the Official Secretary. The
latter apparently always sets about a newcomer in order to get him
into his official clutches-but in this case there should be no
heartburnings on his part-as the whole position is cut & dried-and
clear cut-& he will come back and find me installed & my method of
working clearly proscribed-as far as he is concerned at any rate.
I am writing officially to P.M.'s Department today-saying what has
happened. All one can say in addition is that I have had a cordial
reception & protestations of all assistance & cooperation in
carrying out what you want -from Amery [3], Chamberlain [4] and
Baldwin. [5] I am glad you agree with the suggestion that I should
go into Hankey's [6] office-as it seems the best solution from
this end -The F.O. is really overcrowded -it is not a bluff to
keep one out. And I think Hankey's office is a better location
from other viewpoints.

There is a favourite story that is apparently retailed to all
newcomers -I have had it from both Amery & Chamberlain-as well as
from Leeper [7]-to the general effect that a certain Foreign
Secretary in conversation with a leading press personage in one of
the lobbies of the House of Commons was suddenly asked 'Why ever
did you decide to do so & so?'-Look of surprise on Foreign
Secretary who is made to say 'Who told you that?'-followed by
publication next day-as to the Government's intentions in this
direction which had been previously secret. The morals the young
man is supposed to draw from this story are many.

There is nothing much more to say at this stage-except that the
search for a flat & a car is rather wearing-too few of the one and
too many of the other.

I hope soon to be installed with main office at 2 Whitehall
Gardens [8]and another to fall back on at Australia House.

Yours sincerely,
R. G. CASEY