Your telegram 28. [1] Herremans has received a similar cable from
Van Zeeland, and Scott a message from Marshall directing him to
clear up the misunderstanding over Australian Military Assistants.

Herremans as Chairman of the Committee and I stressed the urgency
of a decision with Vredenburch.

2. The Official Dutch reply was that they were still awaiting word
from The Hague. Vredenburch hinted there would be a Cabinet
meeting that same day Monday.

3. When pressed for more definite information Vredenburch
admitted-
(a) That provision for military observers on scale and in the
proportion originally suggested by the Committee would have-been
satisfactory. This provided the United States 15, Australia 15,
Belgium 6, United Kingdom 10, France 10, China 10. Total 66. [2]

(b) That as one country (in private, France) had made it clear she
would not increase her present number of three, and as Belgium was
unlikely to increase her present number of four, the Committee's
suggestion was no longer relevant.

(c) That the Dutch insisted on the proportion being maintained
between various countries.

(d) That at the present stage they were agreeable to a total of 15
from United Kingdom and Australia combined.

4. Apart from its logical implications the argument of the Dutch
3(b) is not correct since, when making the suggestion, the
Committee was aware that all countries would not supply the
numbers suggested.

5. I also had the impression that the Australian offer would be
more favourably regarded if the number of United States Military
Assistants were in fact increased to 15. There is no word on this
yet.

6. Possible courses are-
(a) to press the Dutch at The Hague;

(b) to agree to send only three Officers now, the number to be
increased if considered desirable by agreement for reduction in
number of British Officers;

(c) to request the United States to increase her military
representation to fifteen.

I would personally favour (a) and (c). (I shall cable separately
today after discussing with Neylan the effect of reducing proposed
Australian representation).

7. Unless specifically requested, I shall refrain from passing on
the gist of your telegram 33 to the Dutch at this stage as I feel
sure that it would be an inducement to them to continue to
withhold consent. I appreciate of course that the return of the
party to Melbourne will be necessary if permission is not obtained
soon.