Please communicate following to United Kingdom Government-
The following message was communicated by the Netherlands Consul-
General [1] to the Commonwealth Government on August 7th-(begins)
The Netherlands Government fear that recent Japanese action and
statements indicate increased Japanese activity in the Far East
possibly also directed against the Netherlands Indies. The British
Government have enquired confidentially whether the Netherlands
Government, in case of a Japanese attack, would defend the
Netherlands Indies, to which a reply has been in the affirmative.

The British Government gave no reply to an enquiry by the
Netherlands Government as to whether in that case assistance from
Great Britain could be expected.

It appears to the Netherlands Government that the British
Government's attitude of aloofness is contrary to direct
Australian interests involved. This they have pointed out to the
Australian High Commissioner in London [2] but I have been
instructed also locally to sound the Commonwealth Government's
views (ends).

As we have had no information that approach referred to in this
message was made by the United Kingdom Government, would
appreciate if you could indicate what steps were actually taken
and views of United Kingdom Government on question raised in the
Consul-General's communication. [3]

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