I have the honour to refer to the conversation of this morning
between yourself, the British Ambassador and myself, during which
Lord Halifax and I submitted on behalf of our respective
Governments that urgent consideration be given to the issuing of a
declaration by the United States of America, the British
Commonwealth and the Netherlands that the vital interests of all
these countries would be affected by any further major move
Southward by Japan.

As intimated during our conversation, His Majesty's Government in
the Commonwealth of Australia is much concerned at the situation
which may arise in the Pacific following upon the signature of the
Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact and the events of the past few
weeks in the Eastern Mediterranean area. My Government feels that
there is a strong possibility that Japan may decide that the near
future represents a favourable moment in which to undertake some
Southward enterprise, and believes that the necessary forces for
such a Southward move are already concentrated and available for
use.

It is against the above background that I have received
telegraphic instructions from the Prime Minister of Australia (the
Right Honourable R. G. Menzies) who is in London, and from the
Acting Prime Minister (the Honourable A. W. Fadden) in Australia-
to join with the British Ambassador in representing the above-
mentioned viewpoint to you, and to ask that you would be so good
as to consider making, on behalf of the United States Government,
a public statement as to the identity of interests between your
Government, the relevant Governments of the British Commonwealth
and the Government of the Netherlands, in respect of the area
towards which a Japanese Southward movement might be directed.

I need hardly say that my Government will await with great
interest your decision in this matter. [1]

R. G. CASEY