Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume V

740.0011 Pacific War/1443

The Department of State to the British Embassy and the Netherland Legation ⁷²

undated

The Commander-in-Chief of the United States Asiatic Fleet has reported that he has urgently suggested to the Dutch authorities at Batavia and to the British authorities at Singapore that there be effected immediately total demolition of the Borneo oil fields except those at Balikpapan, and that preparations should be made to effect the demolition of the oil fields at Balikpapan soon.

The situation as we see it from here is somewhat as follows:

The American, British and Dutch Governments have a vital, common interest in seeing that the oil fields in question not pass into the possession of our common enemy and that, if it appears likely that Japan is about to obtain possession of the territory in question, the most effective means possible be taken to render the oil fields unusable to Japan.

The question when action to destroy the oil fields should be taken is a problem with regard to which it is believed that military considerations should be controlling. It would appear also that the naval and military authorities of our respective governments in the affected areas are in better position than the authorities of the home governments to appraise accurately the time factor.

This Government is convinced that the British and the Dutch Governments share its view that it is to our common interest that every reasonable and practicable precaution be taken to insure that proper measures be carried out in time.

72. Handed on December 14 to the British Ambassador (Halifax) by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton) and to the Netherland Minister (Loudon) by the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck). This action was taken after reference to President Roosevelt.