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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT.)
SECRET.
TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.
It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.
C.O.S. (40) 802.
4TH OCTOBER, 1940.
37
802
COPY NO.
No. f
20
WAR CABINET.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
BRITISH-AMERICAN-DUTCH TECHNICAL CONVERSATIONS.
Report by the Chiefs of Staff.
Cabinet
The War Cabinet invited us to consider whether it
was desirable that British-American-Dutch Technical Military Conversations should be held at Singapore and to submit to the Foreign Secretary definite suggestions which he could communicate to Lord Lothian.
2.
We are of the opinion that these Conversations are desirable for the following reasons:-
3.
(i) They might prove a valuable deterrent to further Japanese aggression. Although
held secretly, there is little doubt that the Japanese would become aware that closer collaboration was taking place.
ii) They would serve to stiffen the Dutch will
to resist Japanese aggression.
(iii) Successful outcome of the Conversations
would materially improve our defensive position in the Far East and put us in a position to act quickly in the event of Japanese aggression.
(iv) Once Conversations had been held, the chances of the United States giving us total military support in the event of
Japanese aggression would be increased.
In view of a decision of the War Cabinet to open the Burma Road on the 18th of October there is every advantage in holding these Conversations at the earliest possible opportunity.
4.
*
We have already submitted to the Prime Minister a recommendation that we should endeavour to arrange Staff Conversations with the Dutch as soon as a decision has been reached as to the strength of the garrison of Malaya, and appreciable reinforcements are on the point of
arriving. October.
This stage should be reached by the end of If, however, the United States are willing to
/W.M.(40) 265th Meeting, Minute 7.
Paper C.0.S.(40)796.
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