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TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY,

It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.

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

This doeam was Quubideen at co.S(4212 Meeting.

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C.0.S.(41) 741.

11TH DECEMBER. 1941.

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

PORTUGUESE TIMOR.

Memorandum by the Foreign Office.

Dutch forces are standing by to enter Portuguese Timor, and the local Dutch authorities are anxious to act without delay. Both the Netherlands Government and ourselves have approached the Portuguese Government about the defence of the territory. The Portuguese Government have shown reluctance to deal direct with the Dutch, but a willingness to co-operate with us on the basis of the Anglo-Portuguese Treaties of Alliance.

2.

Accordingly, H.M. Government have offered to the Portuguese Government, on the basis of the Treaties, to make arrangements for immediate assistance to Portuguese Timor in the face of the threat from the Japanese, on the understanding that in practice such assistance would be furnished by Australian and Dutch forces from the adjoining Dutch territory. The Australian and Netherlaris Governments have agreed to this formula. The Portuguese Government have been asked to instruct the Governor of Timor immediately to invite assistance from the Allied forces as soon as the threat of Japanese attack developed, or to acquiesce in assistance being furnished in the event of there being no time for an invitation to be addressed to H.M. Government or to the local authorities. The Ambassador was pressed to obtain an immediate decision from his Government.

3. It is hoped that the Portuguese Government will agree to, or at least acquiesce in, this procedure, and that they will send instructions to the Governor of Timor to co-operate, or at least to acquiesce in, the occupation of Dilli by Dutch and Australian forces. It is proposed that if possible the Dutch should in due course withdraw and the occupying forces be composed entirely of Australian troops.

4.

If the Portuguese refuse or make difficulties in regard to these proposals, there is an important question for decision. The defence of Portuguese Timor was originally raised in the Anglo-Portuguese military

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