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ANNEX I.
Copy of a telegram dated 21st January, 1941 from Commander-in-Chief, Far East and Commander-in-Chief China to Chiefs of Staff.
IMMEDIATE.
GHQFE/221 21/1.
Following for Chiefs of Staff from C. in C. Far East and C. in C. China. Begins.
Consequent upon exchange of Liaison Officers with N.E.I. just effected, now possible to carry to further stage the discussions which we had with Dutch in November. Mutual co-operation between Australian N.E.I. and Malaya was discussed with General Sturdee during his recent visit. The next stage is to draw up agreed combined plan between Australians, Dutch and ourselves and for detailed administrative arrangements to be made to implement it. To prepare this plan requires assembling of staff officers from Australia N.E.I. and Malaya. Do you concur. Presume you will obtain agreement of N.E.I. authorities in London. Suggest Singapore is most convenient place. C. in C. Far East proposes to pay a short visit to Australia early in February and will make local arrangements with Australian and N.E.I. authorities direct. We appreciate that no repeat no political commitment is to be incurred in undertaking this further stage of discussions.
ANNEX II.
Copy of a telegram dated 24th January. 1941 from Commander in Chief, Fr East to the ir Ministry.
274
MOST IMMEDIATE.
GHQFE/249. 24/1.
Would be grateful for reply to my signal GHQFE/221 21/1 referring to proposed meeting between Australians, Dutch and ourselves. Prime Minister Australia staying night Monday 27/1 Singapore and
highly desirable I should be able to fix definite programme with him.
Time of Origin: - 1050/24.1.41.
* Annex I.
x Also reproduced as C.0.S.(41)49.
~1-
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