Answer: The meaning of the phrase "American patrolling in the Atlantic to lead to an incident, which would not be unwelcome" is not entirely clear without additional context. However, it suggests that someone (the speaker or another party) may be hoping for or anticipating an incident involving American patrol activities in the Atlantic.
The phrase "which would not be unwelcome" implies that the speaker or another party would view such an incident as desirable or beneficial in some way, perhaps because it could advance their political or strategic objectives.
It's important to note that without more context, it's difficult to determine who the speaker is, who the intended audience is, and what their motivations may be. Additionally, it's unclear what type of incident the speaker is referring to, whether it's a minor altercation or a more significant conflict.
Explanation: The context provided reveals that the phrase "American patrolling in the Atlantic to lead to an incident, which would not be unwelcome" was used by President Roosevelt during a lunch meeting with Lord Halifax in May 1941. The phrase suggests that Roosevelt believed that increased American naval patrols in the Atlantic would lead to a clash with German forces, which he saw as desirable in order to further American involvement in the war.
The phrase "which would not be unwelcome" indicates that Roosevelt saw the possibility of a clash with German forces as an opportunity to strengthen the case for American intervention in the war, which he had been advocating for some time. The British ambassador and other interventionists who were present at the meeting also interpreted Roosevelt's remarks as indicating a desire for increased American involvement in the war.
It's important to note that the context of this phrase is specific to the historical events of 1941, and should not be interpreted more broadly without considering the specific historical context.