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TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.

frat special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.

It is req

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

SECRET

C.O.S (41) 49.

21st JANUARY, 1941.

208

COPY NO. 33

This document was considered at Co.S.(1) 26 Meeting.

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

CO-OPERATION WITH NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES.

Copy of a telegram from Commander-in-Chief, Far East and Commander-in-Chief China to Chiefs of Staff dated 21st January, 1941

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

Mutual co-operation discussions which we had with Dutch in Nov. 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

C. in C. London. Suggest Singapore is most convenient place. 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.

Time of Origin: 0435 hours/21.

Great George Street, S.W.1.

21st January, 1941.

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