CAB80-20 — Page 84

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

TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.

SECRET.

C.O.S. (40) 807. (Draft)

It is requested that special care may be taken to

ensure the secrecy of this document.

COPY NO

6TH OCTOBER, 1940.

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMITTEE.

1.

FAR EAST DEFENCE CONFERENCE.

Revised 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 the 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 Commander-in-Chief, China, will be Chairman, and the following will attend:

4.

General Officer Commanding, Malaya.

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 assump- tions underlying C.0.S. Appreciation of which a summary has already been communicated in telegram No.13029/14/40 to 0.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.O.S. telegram No. 2 dated 26/8/40.

(0)

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.0.5.Appreciation. (c) Points for discussion with the Netherlands East Indies

authorities in the event of Staff conversations being authorised.

(ā)

Points for discussion with Representatives of the U.S.A. on the assumption that Anglo-American Staff conversations materialise and will ultimately take place on the Far East.

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.

Richmond Terrace, S.W.1.

6TH OCTOBER, 1940.

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