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

740.0011 Pacific War/1594

The Australian Minister (Casey) to President Roosevelt ⁸²

[Washington,] December 23, 1941.

Mr. President: I have received the following communication by telegram from Mr. John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia, with the instruction to convey it to you at the earliest moment.

I am also to convey the same message to Mr. Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain.

• “1. At this time of great crisis, I desire to address you both while you are conferring for the purpose of advancing our common cause.
• 2. I have already addressed a communication to Mr. Churchill on the question of Russia which I regard as of great importance in relation to the war with Japan, and which I hope will receive the consideration of you both during the conference.
• 3. I refer now to a matter of more pressing importance.
• 4. From all reports it is very evident that in North Malaya the Japanese have assumed control of air and sea. The small British Army there includes one Australian division, and we have sent three air squadrons to Malaya and two to the Netherlands East Indies. The Army must be provided with air support, otherwise there will be a repetition of Greece and Crete, and Singapore will be grievously threatened.
• 5. The fall of Singapore would mean the isolation of the Philippines, the fall of the Netherlands East Indies and an attempt to smother all other bases. This would also sever our communications between the Indian and Pacific Oceans in this region.
• 6. The set-back would be as serious to the United States interests as to our own.
• 7. Reinforcements earmarked by the United Kingdom for despatch to Malaya seem to us to be utterly inadequate, especially in relation to aircraft, and more particularly fighting aircraft. Unchallenged at this time, small reinforcements are of little avail. In truth the amount of resistance to the Japanese in Malaya will depend directly on the amount of resistance provided by the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States.
• 8. Our men have fought and will fight valiantly. But they must be adequately supported. We have three divisions in the Middle East. Our airmen are fighting in Britain, Middle East and training in Canada. We have sent great quantities of supplies to Britain, to the Middle East and to India. Our resources here are very limited indeed.
• 9. It is in your power to meet the situation. Should the Government of the United States desire, we would gladly accept an American Commander in the Pacific area. The President has said that Australia will be a base of increasing importance, but in order that it shall remain a base, Singapore must be reinforced.
• 10. In spite of our great difficulties, we are sending further reinforcements to Malaya.
• 11. I would be glad if this matter could be regarded as of the greatest urgency.

John Curtin

Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia”

R. G. Casey

82. Transmitted to the Secretary of State by the Australian Minister under covering letter of December 23. It was sent to the President on the same day, and on December 30 the Australian Minister was informed of this by the Under Secretary of State in writing.