My telegram Circular Z.291 of 7th October, 1940, paragraph 2. 2]
Please inform the Prime Minister [3] for his most secret and
personal information that His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington
[4] has reported that in conversation between him and United
States authorities the suggestion was made that there should be
immediate preliminary talks in London to be followed as soon as
possible by talks in Washington. We have replied to him gladly
supporting this suggestion, and a further telegram will follow as
soon as we have been able to consider detailed arrangements.

2. It seems to us that it may be desirable that conversations
should take place on two planes, i.e.

(a) First in the United Kingdom and then in the United States,
where broader considerations should be reviewed;

(b) In the Far East, where particular problems should be
discussed.

We feel sure that the Commonwealth and New Zealand Governments
would welcome a proposal for the inclusion of United States
authorities in discussions on problems in the Far East, and we
have therefore authorised His Majesty's Ambassador to invite the
United States to send representatives to attend the Conference
which, as indicated in my telegram to the Commonwealth Government,
No. 384, we hope the Commonwealth Government will agree should be
held at Singapore in the very near future. [5] It was explained to
His Majesty's Ambassador that this conference is intended to cover
the whole defence problem in the Far East, including that of the
Netherlands East Indies if the Dutch participate, and, if the
United States are agreeable, the Philippines also.

3. In telegrams to His Majesty's Ambassador we stated that it was
possible that the United States Government might think this too
public, but that we felt, if it could be arranged for United
States representatives to be present in Singapore during the
Conference, they could be kept fully au courant with proceedings
and discussions with them could be arranged without their
attending formal meetings if this were thought undesirable. We
added that we noted the objections of the United States
authorities to the suggested visit of a United States Squadron to
Singapore, but that should the visit of any naval unit coincide
with the presence of the United States representatives at the
Conference, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom would
naturally welcome it.

4. We are now considering approach to the Dutch.

5. In connection with the Singapore Conference, please explain to
the Commonwealth Government that we have now heard that the
Commander in Chief, China [6], will be able to attend the
Conference and it is now proposed that he should preside since he
will be the senior Commander present.

We are very glad to note from New Zealand Government's telegram
409 of 8th October [7] that the New Zealand Government approve of
the proposal that the Conference should be at Singapore; we share
their view that the conference should be held at the earliest
possible date and we hope the Commonwealth Government will also be
able to concur in the proposal without delay. [8]