Scope and Contents Telegram from the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] to WSC regarding the outcome of consultation with the New Zealand Government and Chiefs of Staff: summarizes the present military situation; defines the ANZAC [Australian and New Zealand Army Corps] area; discusses the machinery needed for the higher direction of policy and operations in the ANZAC area; recommends formation of an ANZAC Council in Washington [United States] and the appointment of Lieutenant-General George Brett...

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander- in-Chief, India, to WSC advising against the appointment of a Military Governor in Ceylon [later Sri Lanka].

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander- in-Chief, India, to WSC stating that the defence of Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] is mainly an air and naval problem: "we should not lock up in island large number of troops which can be better employed elsewhere".

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to Herbert Evatt [Australian Minister for External Affairs and Attorney General] (Washington [United States]): informs him of plans to divert British forces should Australia be invaded; comments on the importance of not committing troops to Australia until it is clearly identified as the chosen enemy target; comments on the build up of naval force in the Indian Ocean; states that it would be a mistake for the Commonwealth Government to recall the 9th Australian Division and...

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Telegram from Lord Halifax [British Ambassador to the United States, earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] to WSC commenting on the establishment of the Pacific War Council in Washington [United States]: comments on likely differences between the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] and Australia and New Zealand over the role of the council; proposes to suggest inclusion of an Indian representative on the Council.

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Telegram from Lord Halifax [British Ambassador to the United States, earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] to WSC regarding the announcement by Stephen Early, Press Secretary to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] of the creation of a Pacific War Council in Washington; relates details of the press release including the composition of the council.

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Telegram from Lord Halifax [British Ambassador to the United States, earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] to WSC stating that the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] is not inviting India to be represented on the Pacific War Council but is seeing officials of Indian Government separately. Repeated to the Viceroy [and Governor-General] of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun].

Scope and Contents Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) to WSC regarding the latest situation in India: states that Congress seems certain to refuse proposals and that the Moslem League and other sections of opinion will do likewise; comments on "almost unanimous" protest against the complete retention of control over defence by the British Government; comments on low morale and the growth of anti-British feeling and unrest; comments on the importance of getting Indian leaders involved...

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Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) to WSC reciting the text of a letter sent by Cripps to Congress leaders suggesting a meeting between themselves, Jawaharlal Nehru and the Commander-in- Chief [General Sir Archibald Wavell] to discuss the question of responsibility for the defence of India.

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander-in- Chief, India] (Burma) to WSC regarding the latest situation in Burma [later Myanmar]: reports on the itinerary of the visit; states that the situation at both Toungoo [Burma] and Prome [Burma] appears unfavourable; comments on the inability of the Governor of Burma [Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith] to remove ineffective civil servants due to the Government of Burma Act.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]: states that the position at home "has always been quite solid" but that disasters made people restive in Parliament and the press; comments on the new position of "Dickie" [Lord Louis Mountbatten] as Chief of Combined Operations; predicts that Japan will press northwards through Burma [later Myanmar] and comments on British reinforcements to the Far East which could be diverted to Australia in the event of an...

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Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) to WSC summarizing the resolution of the Congress Working Committee rejecting Government proposals for the future of India and quoting verbatim the paragraph regarding defence.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) stating the Government position with regard to negotiations with Congress Party leaders: approves of further talks on the defence question but must see proposals before acceptance; states that the Cabinet is disinclined to depart from the published text of the declaration which represents their final position; states that there is no objection in principle to the appointment of a new Indian member on the Council to co-operate...

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander- in-Chief, India, to WSC enclosing texts of messages exchanged between Wavell and Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival [General Officer Commanding, Malaya, later Malaysia] on 13 February 1942 regarding the situation in Singapore Town [see also CHAR 20/73/47].

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Telegram from Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC regarding India: states that India is now the key to the whole defence of the Empire and advises against putting that key in unskilled Indian hands.

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Second and last part of telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, to WSC enclosing texts of messages exchanged between Wavell and Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival [General Officer Commanding, Malaya, later Malaysia] between 14 and 15 February 1942 regarding the situation in Singapore Town.

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Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) to WSC regarding the latest situation in India: summarizes Indian reaction to the British Government's scheme and the implications of acceptance or rejection by Congress; proposes three possible courses of action with regard to the question of responsibility for defence.

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Telegram from WSC to Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India): informs him that the India Committee and War Cabinet will consider his proposals on Monday evening [6 April] and asks what functions it would be proposed to hand over [? to Indian control]; comments on news from Ceylon [later Sri Lanka]; recites text of message from Isobel, Lady Cripps.

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander- in-Chief, India, to WSC commenting on the question of responsibility for the defence of India: believes it is not possible to separate his dual functions as civil and defence member without causing complete dislocation.

Scope and Contents Telegram from the Viceroy [and Governor-General] of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] to the Secretary of State for India [Leo Amery] and WSC commenting on the question of responsibility for the defence of India: feels that there are no very serious risks in giving an Indian member of the Council a new Defence Co-ordination portfolio but feels it is not possible to take away the substance of the Defence portfolio from the Commander-in-Chief [General Sir Archibald Wavell];...

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Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] reciting detailed comments by the Chiefs of Staff on offensive naval action in the Far East: states that it is necessary to remain strategically on the defensive in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans and outlines reasons; comments on the implementation of a future strategic offensive and interim offensive action; comments on the relative strengths of the fleets of the United States and Japan.

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Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] commenting on the presence of a large Japanese naval force in the Indian Ocean; wonders whether these movements are a prelude to an invasion of Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] and suggests that the United States Pacific Fleet might be used to compel the Japanese naval forces back to the Pacific.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding naval losses in the Indian Ocean: recites message from the Deputy Commander-in- Chief at Colombo [Ceylon, later Sri Lanka] to WSC regarding the sinking of the merchant ships Gandara and Dardamus; comments on the sinking of the cruisers HMS Dorsetshire and HMS Cornwall; states that he is hoping to see Harry Hopkins [Special adviser and assistant to Roosevelt] and General George Marshall [Chief of Staff,...

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Telegram from the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps] (India) to WSC commenting on the text of a new formula regarding responsibility for the defence of India and asking for the authority of the War Cabinet to proceed.

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Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (Karachi [India, later Pakistan]) to WSC regarding the defence situation in India, particularly the air and naval situation and commenting on the need for heavy bombers and reconnaissance aircraft.