My telegram 549 of 7th August. [2]

As you will have seen from my telegram 295 of 6th September [3],
we have addressed a note to the Netherlands Minister [4]
indicating the extent to which we feel able to meet the
Netherlands Government's request for 'ratification' of the staff
conversations held at Singapore earlier this year. [5] 2. It is
thought that our note removes the obstacle [to] [6] making a
specific approach to the Netherlands Government for authority for
the despatch of Australian land units to Ambon and Koepang as soon
as a further move is made by Japan. In view of developments in the
situation both political and military which have taken place since
receipt of your telegram 430 of 10th July [7] we should, before
taking action in this sense, be glad to learn that it would be in
accordance with the Commonwealth Government's wishes. If so we
suggest that the formula should be 'whether the Netherlands
Government would be prepared in principle to agree to the proposed
move before the outbreak of hostilities with Japan in the event of
a further deterioration in the situation'. [8]