IMMEDIATE

Further to my telegram 469. [1]

The following letter from Mr. Sumner Welles [2] to Mr. Casey [3]
dated 17th March reached the Legation at noon 18th March. In the
circumstances, I feel that I should quote it in full:-

'Mr. Watt was good enough to hand to me this morning with his
letter of 17th March a message addressed to the President [4] by
the Prime Minister of Australia [5] which contained the very
gratifying suggestion that the Australian Government desired to
nominate General Douglas MacArthur as Supreme Commander of the
Allied Forces in the Australian theatre.

I was glad to submit this message immediately to the President who
asked me to convey to the Prime Minister of Australia through you
his very sincere appreciation of this message. The President asked
me likewise to state that the suggestion made had his complete
approval and that steps would be immediately taken in accordance
with the suggestion of your Prime Minister.

The President ascertained, however, while I was with him, that the
Secretary of War [6] had just made an announcement of the
appointment of General MacArthur in the capacity, making it clear
that this step had been taken "at the suggestion of the Australian
Government".

For that reason it has been impossible for me to inform you
beforehand of the text and time of the announcement as requested
by Mr. Curtin.'

WATT