You will have received the United Kingdom Government's suggestion
of an early British Commonwealth Conference to discuss Japanese
peace settlement.

2. Before receipt of this message, we had already suggested such a
Conference to the United Kingdom Government following upon recent
statement that, in our view, an early peace Conference was
essential if we were to avoid the present unsatisfactory procedure
by which matters are dealt with one by one-for example,
disposition of Japanese fleet, disposition of Japanese Islands,
reparations-and without the opportunity of effective participation
being given to us and other major belligerents in the war against
Japan.

3. After consultations with the New Zealand Government, we decided
to suggest a Conference at Canberra. There have been many British
Commonwealth Conferences at London and, in our view, Australia is
the fitting site, being the primary base of operations in the war
against Japan and having regard to the war effort of this country
against Japan.

4. I hope we can look to your co-operation in urging that the
Conference be held at Canberra because I am aware of your
disappointment over procedures which have been adopted in relation
to two European peace treaties. While Canada and South Africa have
not been as directly concerned in the Japanese Control Council as
Australia, both countries are very much concerned with the
principles of decisions which might be taken in relation to a
peace settlement with Japan and I would regard it as important and
helpful that you should attend a preliminary conference such as we
have suggested. [1]