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ANKEX
78
DRAFT TELEGRAM FROM CELLES CF STAFF TO COMMANDERS- IN-CHIEF IN THE FAR BAST, REPEATED TO COMMANDER-IN- CHIEF EAST INDIES AND G.0.C., BURMA. TO BE REPEATED BY DOMINIONS OFFICE TO AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENTS, BY COLONIAL OFFICE TO 0.A.G., STRAITS SETTLEMENTS, AND BY INDIA OFFICE TO GOVERNMENTS OF INDIA AND BURMA.
Following from Chiefs of Staff to Camanders-in- Chief in the Far East, repeated Commander-in-Chief, East Indies and G.0.C., Burma.
Following instructions indicate line to be taken in forthcoming conversations with Americans and Dutch.
2.
Conversations should be conducted on basis of complete frankness. You are authorised to impart full information on any questions raised,
3.
Basic assumption should be that Americans, Dutch and ourselves are at war with Japan, but you must make it clear that this assumption is without prejudice and implies no political commitment.
4.
Object will be to co-ordinate plans for employment od British, American and Dutch forces in event of war with Japan.
5.
Discussions with Americans should also cover plans for common action in event of Dutch Failing to come in. Similarly, discussions with Lutch should cover action in event of Americans failing to intervene.
6.
Timo is important, and di esions with Dutch should start as soon as they arrive, without waiting for Americans. You will be informed of daves of arrival when known.
Scope of conversations is to be limited to military problem in Far East, Pacific, Indian Ocean and Australasia.
8.
Main problems to be covered are (2) plans for strategical employment of Allied forces, (b) technical and administrative arrangements to enable Allied forces to operate together.
9.
Americans should be invited to take Far Eastern War Memorandum as basis for strategical discussions, American fleet taking place of British fleet in this plan, Principal question is how far Americans are able to make up our own naval deficit in the plan, and where they would operate from 1.0. Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Guam or Honolulu,
10.
:
As defence problem must now include Philippines and Netherlands East Indies as well as our own interests, plan will require modification, We consider Manila would be most suitable advanced main fleet base, provided local defences are adequate, All British and Dutch bases can of course be considered available, though Hong Kong might not be usable,
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