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IS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT)

TO BE KETY AND BLOCK AND KEY.

It is requested that special care may be taken to

ensure the secrecy of this document.

45

SECRET

C.O.S. (40)

5th October. 1940.

WAR CABINET

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE

COPY NO.

工。

FAR EAST DEFENCE CONFERENCE

Draft terms of reference.

A conference to discuss general defence questions

regarding the Far East is to be held at an early date to be arranged by ne Officer Administering the Government, Straits Settlements. Subject to the agreement of the Government of Australia and New Zealand, the conference will be held at Singapore,

2=

The General Officer Commanding, Malaya, will be Chairman, and the following will attend:

3.

4.

Commander-in-Chief, China,

A Representative of Commander-in-Chief, East Indies. Air Officer Commanding, Far East.

Representatives of Australia, New Zealand,

India and Burma.

Following are particular subjects for discussion:- (a) Tactical appreciation of the situation in Far

East, in the event of Japanese aggression based on the assumptions underlying C.0.S. Appreciation of which a summary has already been communicated in telegram No.13029/14/40 to O.A.G. Straits Settlements, dated 16/8/40 for which a directive has already been issued to the Commanders in the Far East, vide C.0.S. telegram No. 2 dated 26/8/40.

(b) Review of defence requirements of India and Burma

in the light of possible Japanese threat from Thailand vide paragraph 36 of telegraphed summary of C.0.S. Appreciation.

(c) Points for discussion with the Netherlands East

Indies authorities in the event of Staff conversations being authorised, and arrangements for conduct of conversations.

The question of responsibility for co-ordinating defence plans and operational control in the Far East generally in the event of war with Japan is now under consideration and it is to be hoped that a decision will be reached before the conference meets.

Cabinet War Room.

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