1. Government has carefully considered comment of Chiefs of Staff
Committee (dated December 23) [2]upon Duff Cooper's [3] telegrams
of 21St December [4] communicating considered opinion of Singapore
Joint Inter-Allied Conference as to reinforcements which were the
minimum not the optimum reinforcements required to stabilise the
situation in Malaya.

2. We note that comments Chiefs of Staff Committee on these
imperative requests have been sent to Churchill at Washington and
Government therefore desires to make following observations.

(a) Fighters. The 51 fighters when they arrive will merely
complete existing squadrons and their reserves. They will make no
contribution whatever towards the four additional fighter
squadrons plus 100% reserves regarded by Singapore Conference as
minimum. Obviously these are a A.1 priority.

(b) Bombers. Provision is contemplated for only two of the four
bomber squadrons demanded by Conference with 100% additional
reserves in the case of Hudsons. Additional squadrons repeat
squadrons should be despatched immediately.

(c) Chiefs of Staff Committee states that they are examining
effect on Middle East theatre of meeting balance of immediate air
reinforcements required. We are reliably informed that aircraft in
Middle East are in region of 800 and it is difficult to believe
that having regard to overwhelming necessities Far East aircraft
cannot be spared. We also refer to Chiefs of Staff appreciation
C.O.S. (41) 230 dated April 11, 1941 [5] in answer to Menzies'
memorandum [6] which appreciation seriously under-estimated
situation Japanese air strength and over-estimated that of
British.

(d) It is noted that Chiefs of Staff state air escort flight
'cannot be provided'. Presumably this means cannot be provided at
present. We think that escort and transport flights should be
formed in reserve in pool to be based on Australia.

(e) Generally. We note that according to Chiefs of Staff
Committee, other minimum requirements of Singapore Conference are
not being provided for and that in almost every respect something
less is being planned. This is the service attitude which our
Prime Minister [7] characterised as 'penny packet' dispositions in
his personal telegram to Churchill December 20th last. [8] We hope
and believe that Churchill and Roosevelt will brush it aside.

3. We now turn your 1211. [9]

(a) As to Paragraph 6 it is not a question of what Auchinleck [10]
can spare, it is what emergency requires to avert devastating
blows to strategic situation in Far East. Matter is one for
decision by highest political authorities as to what emergency
requires, that is, for decision by Churchill and Roosevelt.

(b) We are aware of proposals you mention and we were aware of
substance of them prior to Australian Prime Minister's crucial
message 1103 to President and Prime Minister. [11] Government
adheres to its view expressed in paragraph 6 of 1103 that small
reinforcement will be of little avail and that degree of
resistance to Japan will depend largely on amount of assistance to
be provided by United Kingdom and United States of America
Governments and on speed of provision.

4. Please understand that stage of gentle suggestion has now
passed. Continuous over-statements by British Far East Commands as
to degree of preparedness have produced a very serious effect upon
public opinion. Latest reports from Malaya suggest that fighters
will not support A.I.F. troops in field because they have to be
withdrawn for defence fortress itself This will re-echo
experiences of Greece and Crete and must be avoided.

5. You say that Churchill will confirm the proposals mentioned to
you and already known to us. Much more is required. Please take
immediate steps to inform him in accordance telegram 1103 that
requirements of Singapore Conference are only the very minimum,
that anything less will be dangerous and that definite time-table
is required.

6. When visiting here Brooke-Popham [12] informed Government that
some of his demands for further reinforcements Far East had
encountered 'non possumus' attitude from United Kingdom Government
and we fear that attitude in Chiefs of Staff report of 11th April
1941 signed Pound, Portal and Haining [13] may still govern
decisions.

7. This is gravest type of emergency and everything will depend
upon Churchill-Roosevelt decision to meet it in broadest way.

8. You should read substance of message concerned as from
Australian Government. We are expecting favourable answer.

9. For your private information our view accords strictly with
that of Bruce expressed in his telegram 136 [14] to Prime Minister
here.

[EVATT]