The attached appreciation [1] is the final form of the document
which was considered in the Joint Intelligence Committee last
November and subsequently discussed with the Joint Planning
Committee. Certain amendments have been made.
The main points appear on pages 2 and 3 [2] from which will be
gathered the considerable divergence from the approach in our
Appreciation. [3] The relevant reference is paragraph 29 [4] on
page 6 referring to Chinese populations in South East Asian
countries.
The statement regarding Indonesia in paragraph 39 [5], page 8, is
reasonable but its condensation in paragraph 6, page 2, means very
little.
In accordance with your instructions I took no part in the
preparation or discussion of this document. [6]
This document will no doubt be considered by the Defence Committee
and will ultimately go before the Council for Defence. The
Appreciation prepared by this Department will presumably be dealt
with in the same way in the Defence Department. I understand from
enquiries in Melbourne that it has been considered by the Joint
Intelligence Committee who do not quite know what to do with it.
[7]
[AA:A1068/7, DL47/5/1A]