CAB80-20 — Page 253

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Instructions for British Representatives at discussions in London and Washington.

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Assumptions.

1.

Conversations should be carried out on the hypothetical basis of a war between Japan, Germany and Italy on the one hand and the U.S.A., the Netherlands East Indies

This assumption is and the British Empire on the other. without prejudice to any development in the political situation and implies no political commitment.

2.

The conversations should be conducted in a spirit of complete frankness. Full information on any questions raised may be imparted to the American and Dutch representatives.

Object.

3.

The object of the conversations will be to co- ordinate on broad lines plans for the employment of British, Dominion, American and Dutch forces in the event of war with Japan. Discussions may be extended to cover the conduct of the war as a whole,

Notes:-

(i) The following papers will be used as a basis of discussions on the local defence problem in the Far East:--

Far East Appreciation W.P.(40) 302 Assistance to Dutch W.P.(40) 308

Future Strategy Appreciation W.P.(40) 362.

(ii) Some of the broad naval and air aspects of

American intervention have already been discussed in the Anglo-American Standardisation of Arms Committee and the discussions between Admiral Ghormley and the Admiralty.

Possible Japanese Action.

4.

We consider that the possibility of a Japanese expedition against Australasia can be ruled out altogether on the assumption of American intervention.

With the American battlefleet in the Far East, the likelihood of a seaborne attack on Malaya or on the Netherlands East Indies would be greatly reduced, and Japanese communications to Indo-China would be subject to interruption. Nevertheless, the possibility of land and air attack on Malaya remains, and the Japanese might attempt at least the capture of Hong Kong.

PARTICULAR POINTS FOR DISCUSSION,

Naval.

5.

The principles on which U.S. naval assistance (including air reconnaissance) should be rendered have

cludi

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