Casey [1] and Bruce [2] lunched with me to-day when Hore-Belisha
[3] and Maurice Hankey [4] were also present. We had some
discussion about an Australian expeditionary force. Casey made it
quite plain that the only element which was holding back an
Australian decision was a doubt of the attitude of Japan. Any
appreciation of the international situation such as the Foreign
Secretary [5] has now taken steps to collect would greatly help
them in coming to a decision. In the meanwhile Casey would agree
to telegraph to his Government giving them his personal
impressions as a result of the conversations we have had here.

This is to pave the way.

Casey then raised another question which he said was a constant
anxiety for every Australian Government. Should we be in a
position, if the need arose, to send any capital ships to
Singapore? Assurances on general terms on this subject had been
made at the Imperial Conference of 1937 and at different times in
1938. It was to be anticipated that Italy's neutrality and the
modifications in the situation in the Far East brought about by
Russia's closer association with Germany would make it easier for
us to pronounce on this subject than it was even a few months ago.

We pointed out to Casey that British capital ships were at the
present time by no means confined to the home waters and those of
the Mediterranean. This matter was clearly one for the Admiralty,
but we hoped that it might be possible to give the Australian
Government some satisfaction on this score.

My own strong feeling is that if we can give Casey a measure of
comfort in respect of Japan's political attitude, combined with an
indication of our willingness and ability to send capital ships to
Singapore, should the need arise, the Commonwealth Government will
then at once decide that the division which they are now training
can proceed overseas. Casey thought that the troops would be ready
to do this very early in the New Year, possibly in January.

I am sure that you will agree that from every point of view it is
desirable that the despatch of the first Canadian division, which
is due to take place in December, should be followed as soon as
possible by the despatch of the first Australian division and of
the first contingent from New Zealand. The psychological effect on
our French friends and on Germany of the knowledge that these
troops will be in the field in France, probably in time for a
spring campaign, will be most salutary. I hope therefore that it
may be possible to meet the Commonwealth Government on the two
points which they raise.

I am sending copies of this letter to the Foreign Secretary and
the First Lord of the Admiralty. [6]

ANTHONY EDEN