Your cablegram 290 of 13th August. [1]

1. We are desirous of rendering our contribution to the execution
of the surrender terms in the Pacific and will gladly play our
proper part in the tasks resulting from the Japanese capitulation.

2. Australia desires to take part in the occupation of Japan
itself. We propose that the following Australian Force, comprising
units of the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal
Australian Air Force, be made available for this purpose:-

Navy: Task Force 74.1, consisting of two cruisers and two
destroyers. This will be additional to any H.M.A. ships attached
to the British Pacific Fleet which may be sent to Japan.

Army: Two brigade groups drawn from 6th, 7th and 9th Divisions.

R.A.A.F.: Three Mustang fighter squadrons.

We must insist, however, that this contribution is being made by
Australia as a separate belligerent of Japan, and that our Force
will operate under an Australian Commander who will be subject
only to the Supreme Allied Commander.

3. In these circumstances we are unable to provide any Australian
forces for the occupation of Hong Kong.

However at the special request of the R.N. authorities we are
making available for Hong Kong six units of the R.A.N. which will
co-operate with two units of the R.N. manned by R.A.N. personnel
for mine-sweeping purposes for a period of two months only.

4. We agree to your proposal that the Southwest Pacific Area
should pass to the British and Australian Command, assuming that
the division of responsibility between the United Kingdom and the
Commonwealth Government will be a matter for further
consideration.

5. We are prepared to accept initial responsibility for Borneo and
all Japanese occupied territories to the East thereof, including
Ocean and Nauru Islands, subject to clarification of the term
'initially be responsible' and having regard to the advice which
we have received at the service level that responsibility for
Japanese in the Celebes and Halmaheras will probably be allocated
to the 93rd American Negro Division, and Dutch New Guinea to the
New Zealand Force. This is also subject to the provision of
shipping as indicated in paragraph 5 of your cablegram. It is
estimated that the undermentioned additional shipping will be
required from United Kingdom resources:

11 Victory ships
3 large hospital ships-for prisoners of war, see paragraph 7.

40 L.C.T.'s.

3 troop ships.

Fuel oil and base facilities for amphibious craft.

Necessary tankers to provide aviation gasoline, fuel oil and
lubricants.

5. A. We agree to proposed exchange of Service Liaison Missions
between the Australian Commands and South-East Asia Command.

6. In view of the part played by the 8th Division in Malaya, we
Wish, if possible, to participate in reoccupation of Singapore and
we are prepared to make available a paratroop battalion for this
purpose. We note from your cablegram 298 of 15th August [2] that
you concur in our representation at the surrender in South-East
Asia Command and we are grateful for this advice.

7. A primary consideration is the safe return of our prisoners of
war and we would expect that this should be accorded the highest
priority in every respect, including sea, land and air transport.

8. We feel we must point out that, in making these contributions,
Australia is doing so not as subsidiary but as principal Pacific
Power which has for so long borne the heat and burden of the
struggle against Japan. We cannot but help feeling that this has
not had sufficient recognition in the Armistice arrangements and
this view is reinforced by the advice of your cablegram 302 of
16th August [3] regarding our representation in our own right at
the acceptance of the surrender of Japan.