Anticipating general direction by the United States of operaticons
 
in the Paciftc Theater, which is the  theater generally east of the meridian
 
of Singapore, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff eonteaplate establishing &
 
Southwest Pacific Area, south of the Equator and west of longitude 160'- 165' E., to include 
 
Australia, the Netherlands East Indies less Sumatra, plus
 
Philippines, New Guinea, Bismarcks, and Solomona, and a South Pacific Area, to
 
include all east of above Southwest Pacific Area and south of Equator, extending
 
Eastward generally to longitude 110' W.
 
     The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff consider each of these to be an
 
integrated strategic area.
 
     The Southwest Pacific Area, under Army unity of command, has to do
 
initially with the defense of the land mass of Australia and ancillary islands
 
in the approaches from the northwest and north; it eventually becomes a
 
springboard for offensive operations to the northwest.
 
                       Tho South Pacific Area, under Navy unity of ommand, has to do primarily with 
 
protection and maintenance of lines of communication with Australia and the Far East, and while 
 
linked with the South  Pacific Area, it must be up as a distinct strategic entity. New Zealand is 
 
located in the South Pacific Area, that is, the lines-of-communication area, because of strategic 
 
considerations invoving naval bases.
 
     With respect to the Australian proposals on control in the Pacific Theater, the following
must be said: Unquestionably the Australian Government