The significance of the contents of my telegram 73 [1] is
(confidentially) as under. After my talk to the President [2] (my
telegram 74 [3]) on Jan. 13th, subject matter was discussed
between President and Churchill. Whether as a result of this or
not (I do not know) Churchill subsequently telegraphed the British
Government with the suggestion that there should be created in
London a 'War Council of the Far East' on ministerial plane with
Churchill presiding, on which Australian, New Zealand and Dutch
Governments should be represented, to keep under continuous review
the conduct of the war in the south-west Pacific theatre;

Churchill to be able to bring into this Council, when necessary
and appropriate, the Foreign Secretary or Service Ministers when
required.

The above not to disturb or reduce the present right of Page [4]
(or whoever the relevant Australian Government representative) to
attend British War Cabinet meetings whenever matters affecting
Australia are under consideration.

The above proposal (so far as I know) has not yet been agreed upon
as between Churchill and his governmental colleagues in London,
and for certain reasons there may be a little delay in its
consummation and your being advised. In the meantime nothing more
can be done by me from here. I would be grateful if no reference
might be made officially or otherwise to above by reason of fact
that I am aware of it through strictly personal and non-official
channels.

CASEY