56 Mr R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister, to Mr S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner in London
Cablegram unnumbered8 August 1940,
MOST SECRET
Please communicate following to United Kingdom Government- The following message was communicated by the Netherlands Consul- General [1] to the Commonwealth Government on August 7th-(begins) The Netherlands Government fear that recent Japanese action and statements indicate increased Japanese activity in the Far East possibly also directed against the Netherlands Indies. The British Government have enquired confidentially whether the Netherlands Government, in case of a Japanese attack, would defend the Netherlands Indies, to which a reply has been in the affirmative.
The British Government gave no reply to an enquiry by the Netherlands Government as to whether in that case assistance from Great Britain could be expected.
It appears to the Netherlands Government that the British Government's attitude of aloofness is contrary to direct Australian interests involved. This they have pointed out to the Australian High Commissioner in London [2] but I have been instructed also locally to sound the Commonwealth Government's views (ends).
As we have had no information that approach referred to in this message was made by the United Kingdom Government, would appreciate if you could indicate what steps were actually taken and views of United Kingdom Government on question raised in the Consul-General's communication. [3]
MENZIES