(Repeated to Prime Minister of New Zealand. [2] No. 35, and Aust.

Min. Washington [3] 8).

Cablegrams Nos. 333 and Z. 290 [4] have been read with much
interest. With reference to Z. 291 and No. 334 [5], His Majesty's
Government in the Commonwealth of Australia is in full agreement
with the proposed private staff talks between the United States of
America, United Kingdom, and Dominion Governments concerned, and
the Dutch authorities, on common action for defence, and is
prepared to send Service representatives to Washington.

We also heartily concur in proposed invitation to United States of
America representative to attend Singapore Conference and replied
on 8th October [6] to your cablegram No. 384 [7], relative to our
participation therein.

In regard to Z. 292 [8], relative possibility that the United
States might find itself at war with Japan, as result of
discussions with United Kingdom Government to secure some form of
concerted reaction to Japanese-Axis Pact and the conclusion of the
United Kingdom Government that should the question arise, it would
declare war on Japan, the Commonwealth Government would, in such
circumstances, take similar action. It is assumed, of course, in
regard to your earlier cablegrams Nos. 262, 263, 267 and Z. 214
[9] on strategical position in Far East and assurances therein
relative to naval dispositions designed to secure Commonwealth
against major aggression that dispositions of combined Anglo-
American naval strength would be such as to achieve the same end.

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