TIMOR. Reference your telegram of 18th March. [1] At preliminary
meeting with Butler [2] and Foreign Office officials on 20th March
I gave your views and discussed the points raised in your
telegram. Although Wittouck [3] has not obtained any concession
yet, Foreign Office definite that the Portuguese Government must
of necessity use Wittouck as a buffer against Japanese pressure
irrespective of the strength of his claim moral or otherwise.

As a result of discussion, arranged that I should see the
Portuguese Ambassador [4] and stress the Commonwealth Government's
interest in concession. This I have done, and the Ambassador has
undertaken to convey my representations to Lisbon both regarding
oil concessions and the establishment of Darwin-Dilli Air Service.

Also arranged that I should see Cadman [5] which I did on 21st
March. He promised me his views promptly but I have not yet been
able to extract them from him. As soon as I obtain them we are
having another meeting at the Foreign Office at which the question
of desirability or otherwise of Dutch participation will also be
considered. This question was left over to enable Butler who
although personally inclined to share your views desired further
to examine the political aspects.

BRUCE