I have had consultation to day, and this evening with the
Commissioner General, Governor of Singapore, and the Australian
Commissioner. [1]

2. Authorities here are getting in touch with the United Kingdom
Government as to munitions requirements so that if any request
comes to you it will be direct from the United Kingdom. MacDonald
and Gimson tell me that shortages here are chiefly in respect of
sten guns and other automatic weapons. I think it is of importance
to Australia's permanent interest here, that if any request is
made by the United Kingdom it should be acceded to.

3. You should also know that the position here is due to a tiny
minority mainly of Chinese Communists who are opposed to Chinese
Nationalist Government of Chiang Kai Shek, and who have impudently
proposed to proclaim Malaya a Communist Republic an August 2nd. It
may well be the United Kingdom Government cannot do much more
because of European situation and accordingly Australia is to a
substantial extent bound to prevent undermining of British
Authority in this closely allied strategical area proved by
incident of Japanese war.

4. Possibly those in authority in England may see fit to
communicate further with me when I arrive and I shall keep you
fully informed.