1. The first five paragraphs of your P. 74 [1] miss the point of
my No. 47 [2] which was as follows:

(a) Paragraph 2 shows that according to your P. 64 [3] the
suggestion for the retention of the 9th Division originated from
the President. [4]

(b) Paragraph 3 shows that according to Dominions Office No. 311
[5] the President's message agreed to the proposal that had been
put to him.

(c) Paragraph 4 draws your attention to this difference and
indicates in view of the decisions already taken by the Australian
Government that the disposition of the A.I.F. is not a matter for
bilateral discussion between the Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom [6] and the President. It is one for the Pacific Council.

This is an illustration of our viewpoint on a Pacific Council in
Washington where we would have a direct contact with the
President. As indicated in my No. 47 no decision has been reached,
the matter having been referred to Evatt [7] for discussion with
the President.

2. I do not understand your references to Churchill and
concealment of his discussion with the President. No one made any
such suggestion. [8]

CURTIN