1 Bruce had been asked on 25 October to investigate a report that
the Netherlands Govt had appointed Maj Gen L. H. van Oyen as
Commander-in-Chief, Netherlands Forces in Australia, and that he
would be placed in charge of post-war reconstruction in the
Netherlands East Indies (see cablegram N1 on file AA:A989,
43/600/5/1/3). Bruce sought information from the Netherlands
Foreign Minister (Dr E. N. van Kleffens) and was advised that:

'Van Oyen has no instructions with regard to post-war
reconstruction. What he has to do-within his own sphere-is to
prepare the administrative agencies which will be needed once
parts of the Netherlands Indies are re-occupied.' (See Bruce's
note of 28 October on file AA:M100,October 1943 and cablegram N35
of 1 November on file AA:M100, November 1943.)
Van Kleffens also advised Bruce confidentially that Dr H. J. van
Mook was likely to give up the position of Netherlands Minister
for the Colonies and go to Australia as Lieutenant Governor
designate of the N.E.I. Van Mook himself informed Bruce of this
plan on 16 November and the latter informed Curtin the same day
(see cablegram N36 on file AA:M100, November 1943).

2 See Document 297, note 2.

3 See Document 233.

4 Inserted from Bruce's copy on file AA:M100, November 1943.