I have received your message of 2nd October [1] and am very
disturbed by some of its contents.

We were, and are, concerned about the failure at Dakar. My
telegram [2] concerning it was somewhat crudely expressed, as I
can see on perusing it again. But I still do not understand how it
can be construed as containing even the faintest suggestion that
you or the British Government are half-hearted in policy, spirit
or achievement.

As the recent election here has left my own position extremely
precarious and I may therefore soon go out of office [3], I would
like to take the opportunity of saying to you that I have been
very proud on behalf of Australia to be associated, even though at
a distance, with the efforts of Winston Churchill and the British
people. Such machinery as I possess in my own country has, at all
times, been exercised so as to encourage the Australian people to
realize that Great Britain is fighting our battles and that her
heroism and superhuman cheerfulness and philosophy must be for us
not only a shield but an inspiration.

As for yourself-praise from me would be an impertinence-but what I
cabled you on 3rd September [4], the anniversary of the war,
represented my whole heart and mind. I am, indeed, grieved to
think that you should have felt my recent telegram to be either
carping or discouraging.

I say no more about Dakar because it, no doubt, has lessons which
it is not necessary for me to underline. Real point I make is that
we, at this distance, will learn the lessons of events the more
rapidly if information about those events can come to us as
promptly and as fully as possible.

As to the Middle East, I have not sought or intended to seek
guarantees. All that we ask-and I am sure it is granted before the
asking-is that the Middle East should be as fully reinforced and
equipped as is humanly possible. Your telegram has given me great
satisfaction on this point.

You point out that if the Middle East difficulties and dangers
have not been fully met, it is not because the Mother Country has
shirked her share of the perils or sacrifice; this is, of course,
splendidly true. But I hope that you do not entertain any idea
that Australia is shirking her share. We have many thousands of
men in the Middle East, as many as shipping has been able to take.

We have in camp in Australia further Expeditionary Force
approximating 85,000 men, many of whom will shortly be moving to
the Middle East.

In spite of much public doubt caused by a real fear of what Japan
may do, my Government has raised naval, air and military forces
and pledged our resources to munitions production on a scale
previously unknown and regarded only a year ago as impossible.

We have done this notwithstanding the parochial interests and
issues which in the recent elections succeeded in defeating us in
the all important State of New South Wales. We have set no limit
to our contribution because we know that there is no limit to the
total British risk.

I mention these matters because I desire to make it dear that our
anxiety about our main overseas theatre of actual participation in
the war is not only intelligible but acute.

Please, my dear Prime Minister, do not interpret anxieties arising
from these facts as either fearful, selfish or unduly wrong-
headed. And above all, please understand that whatever
interrogative or even critical telegrams I may send to you in
secret, Australia knows courage when it sees it and will follow
you to a finish, as to the best of my abilities I certainly shall.

MENZIES