87 Mr John Curtin, Prime Minister, to Lord Cranborne, U.K. Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs
Cablegram 686 CANBERRA, 16 October 1941
MOST SECRET
For Prime Minister. [1]
At first meeting of War Cabinet of my Government observations in cablegrams Nos. 608 of 31st August [2] and 684 of 12th October [3] relative to the intention to despatch a squadron of capital ships and a battle cruiser were noted during general review of war position and Australia's effort in relation thereto.
These advices were noted with great satisfaction and my Government fully supports the reasons put forward by the preceding Government in cablegram No. 582 of 4th September [4], regarding the importance of such dispositions for the defence of empire interests in the Eastern Hemisphere, for the maintenance of communications to the Middle East and for sustaining generally the war efforts of the Dominions in Pacific and their overseas forces in particular.
It is, therefore, strongly urged that the re-disposition be made as early as possible and it is hoped that your reference to the inclusion of first class units among the capital ships indicates an intention to despatch a modern capital ship in view of its deterrent effect on Japanese and the decisive influence it might have in maintaining command of the sea in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. [5]