Your cablegram of 5th November [1] has been studied with interest
and preliminary report of Chiefs-of-Staff will shortly be
considered. You will recall from paragraph 8 of letter of
instructions [2] that request was made for review of Australian
Defence in relation to general scheme of Empire in light of
present outlook. It is noted that up-to-date appreciation of
Japanese position is being obtained but it is an imperative
preliminary to Government decision on despatch of 6th Division
that review sought through you should be furnished by United
Kingdom Government. It should indicate not only the probabilities
of Japan's attitude but also:-

(1) specific measures including in particular naval measures to be
taken for Defence of British interests in Pacific and Australia in
particular should Japan enter war against British Empire;

(2) measures, if any, contemplated by United Kingdom Government
should Japan not declare war against British Empire but proceed to
occupation of Dutch Territories in East Indies adjacent to
Singapore and Australia.

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