Circular cablegram DW1005 LONDON, 7 December 1941, 10.30 p.m.
MOST IMMEDIATE MOST SECRET AND PERSONAL
Following for the Prime Minister.
A report timed 5.40 p.m. G.M.T. today has been received from the
Commander-in-Chief China I that the Japanese were attempting to
land from five ships at Kota Bharu (on the East Coast of Malaya
immediately South of Siam-Malaya frontier). [2]
1 Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton.
2 War Cabinet considered this cablegram on 8 December and agreed
'that the situation should be accepted as involving a state of war
against Japan'. See AA:A2673, vol. 9, minute 1557 and Documents
172 and 174.
Shortly before 1 p.m. on 8 December a cablegram (no. 1098 on file
AA:A1608,J39/2/1)was received from R. G. Casey, Minister to the
United States, advising that Japanese aircraft had bombed Hawaii
and Manila and that although the U.S. Congress had not yet
formally declared war the situation was 'indistinguishable' from
war.
[AA:A1608, J39/2/1]
