Your telegram of 17th May, No. 237. [1] Commonwealth Government
are in agreement with report of Washington Staff Conversations.

With regard to the plans for the reinforcement of Singapore, they
fully endorse the observations made in New Zealand Government's
telegram 192 of 21st May [2], as to the need for every possible
step being taken to expedite the arrival of the main fleet at
Singapore. Reference to this was made in Commonwealth Government's
telegram 269 of 4th May. [3]

2. The Commonwealth Government also agree with the recommendations
made in the reports of the American-Dutch-British Conversations
and British-Dutch Conversations at Singapore in April. The
following observations are made on aspects indicated:-

(a) United States Support: With regard to paragraphs 42, and 71(a)
of A.D.B. [4], the extent of the support to be afforded by United
States to British naval and air forces south of the equator, and
also the arrangements for direct co-operation by Australia and New
Zealand with Cornmander-in-Chief of United States Pacific Fleet
have been taken up through the Australian Naval Attache,
Washington. [5]

(b) Attack on Australia and New Zealand: It is noted from
paragraph 12 of A.D.B. [6] that attacks on Australia are ruled out
as initial operations. It is understood that word 'attack' is
meant in sense of invasion, which conforms to basis accepted in
reports of previous Singapore Conferences.

(c) Command: Commonwealth Government agree to arrangements for
unified strategical control of naval and air forces in the eastern
theatre as defined in Section V of A.D.B. Report and in Paragraphs
22 to 28 of B.D. Report. [7] In regard to command at Ambon,
arrangements are being made in collaboration with the Netherlands
East Indies authorities for establishment of combined headquarters
which will function for local defence and control of operations of
R.A.A.F. and Dutch naval-air units. Command of local forces at
Timor will be exercised by Australian Commander as agreed to at
Anglo-Dutch-Australia Conference in February.

3. It would be appreciated if the reply of the United Kingdom
Government to the question raised in Paragraph 2 of New Zealand
Government's Telegram 192 as to the United States Pacific Fleet
could be repeated to Australia. [8]

4. Commonwealth Government would be glad to know if results are
yet available of further study of political aspects of definition
of act of war by Japan and movement of Australian forces to
Koepang and Ambon, prior to outbreak of hostilities. The matters
are referred to in Dominions Office Telegram 263 [9] of 15th
April. [10]