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ANNEX.
311
Copy of telegram dated 24th January, 1941 from Commander-
in Chief, China, to Admiralty.
Addressed: Admiralty. Repeated: C. in C. Bast Indies.
62.
Naval Liaison Officer Bata via has sent following report of an interview with Admiral Helfrich on 18th January. Begins:- The Admiral spoke openly and at length regarding the present lack of pre-arranged action to be taken in the event of (a) an attack by Japan on the Malay P-ninsula and Singapore (b) an attack by Japan on Java or any other part of the Netherlands East Indies.
He stated that without a
reciprocal agreement between the two governments made in advance that each would automatically be at war in the event of (a) or (b), he would be unable to assist with the Nether- lands East Indies Fleet for some considerable time after (a) had taken place. At the moment it was not agreed that either government would, without a decision from London being made after hostilities had broken out, assist the other.
2.
The initial assistance should (a) occur, would be for the Netherlands Dast Indies Submarines to operate in the South China Sea but he could not possibly arrange this in time to be effective if there was delay in deciding the question
Should (b) take place he until after war had broken out. anticipated that Air Force support would be available from Malaya.
3. He said that his position was in some res- pects difficult for he was C. in C. of the Netherland Fleet in Netherlands East Indies Waters and responsible to the
He was not responsible in any way Governor- General here. to Admiral Furstner who commanded the Netherland Navy in European Waters, although a line of communication existed
4. The Admiral between himself and Admiral Furstner. also spoke about America who although neutral, had asked to be allowed to send Liaison Officers to Batavia, Sourabaya,
This he hadnot Macassarn, Balik Papan and two other places. agreed to, although one might be attached "in the same way as I am appointed here".
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