AUSTRALIAN LEGATION, WASHINGTON, D.C. MR. PRESIDENT: I have been asked by the Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable John Curtin, to convey to you the following personal message:- "On the entry of the United States of America into the war with Germany and Italy as well as with Japan, I desire on behalf of the people of Australia to express to you as representative of the people of America, how greatly we have been heartened and strengthened by the knowledge that the English-speaking world and the majority of mankind are now arrayed against the common foe. 2. We in Australia are firmly resolved, come what may, to do our utmost to defend to the limit of our capacity, the Commonwealth of Australia and adjacent territories of the South West Pacific, and to cooperate in the general plan of the defeat of the enemy. As you are no doubt aware, we have land, sea and air forces in Malaya and in the Netherlands East Indies area. 3. When risks to Australia were not as great as at the present time, we sent some of our naval and air forces as far afield as Britain, and we have three Army Divisions and units of our Air Forces in the Middle East. We have also contributed several thousand men to the Empire Air Training Scheme, and we hope to be able to continue our part in it. 4. As a Nation bordering on the Pacific Ocean, the entry of Japan into the war has brought a new threat near to our country. We deeply deplore the losses sustained by your naval and air forces at Hawaii, and by the British Navy at Malaya. ForLt some time these events will no doubt minimise the otherwise deterrent effect of American and British sea power on Japanese operations. 5. The Government of the Commonwealth of Australia has warmly welcomed the opportunity of cooperating with the United States Forces in the provision of a naval base at Rabaul, and aerodrome facilities in territories under the control of the Commonwealth and in New Caledonia. However, the changed naval situation/ |