1. Your telegram No. 197 [1] reached me here [2] just as the
Combined Chiefs of Staff had agreed in principle that a
Commonwealth Land Force and assault shipping and if possible a
small tactical air force should take part in the main operations
against Japan subject to the satisfactory resolution of
operational and other problems. They had also agreed that in order
to resolve these problems appropriate British Commanders and staff
should visit Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur and draw up with
them a plan for submission to the Combined Chiefs of Staff.

2. We have all had in mind the practical difficulties to which you
refer. We hope, however, that the appointed British Commanders in
consultation with General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz will be
able to formulate a practical and acceptable plan. The United
States Chiefs of Staff are anxious that the British Commanders
should reach General MacArthur at a very early date. The Chiefs of
Staff will proceed with the appointment of Force Commanders as
early as possible and in order that Australia's views may be fully
represented at the consultations with General MacArthur I suggest
that you should appoint an Australian Officer to join the British
Commanders at General MacArthur's Headquarters. This Officer would
then be able to return to Australia to explain in full detail all
the arrangements proposed. I hope and believe that you will then
find it possible to join with us in this enterprise. The time and
details of the visit of the British Commanders will of course be
notified to you as soon as possible.

3. I have noted the various problems and difficulties which would
in your view arise from the organisation of command suggested in
my telegram No. 219 [3] and I fully accept that the Australian
Government must be the sole arbiter of the extent of their own war
effort and allocation of manpower and material resources. I
believe, however, that a satisfactory solution of the command
arrangement and a proper distribution of effort in the present
South-West Pacific Area and in South-East Asia Command could be
achieved by consultation between us.

4. Admiral Mountbatten is due to visit us in London in the near
future and will undertake discussions with the Chiefs of Staff on
future operations in South-East Asia Command and on the possible
extensions of his Command. I suggest that it would be most helpful
if you could appoint a Representative to take part in these
discussions, represent your views and keep you fully informed. No
final decision will of course, be taken without your concurrence.

5. I agree that we are under obligation to bring the Dutch
Government into this question and I suggest the proper course
would be to approach them when we have reached agreement.

6. I have not received the answer from the New Zealand Government.

7. I therefore propose-
(A) That you should appoint an Australian Officer to be ready to
meet British Force Commanders for discussions at General
MacArthur's Headquarters.

(B) That you should appoint a Representative to take part in
London in discussions with the Chiefs of Staff and Admiral
Mountbatten on the question of the re-organisation of the South-
West Pacific Area. These discussions should start on about 1st
August.