MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:
 
HIGHER DIRECTION OF WAR IN THE ABDA AREA
 
                The Chiefs of Staff have somewhat revised their original memorandum on the above
subject, so as to incorporate certain of the President's suggestions.  With respect to those points
where the revised memorandum, hereto attached, differs from the President's re-draft, the
following explanation is submitted:
 
                (a) The U.S. Chiefs of Staff and the British Chiefs of Staff through their representatives
in Washington, are in an especially favorable position to weigh the needs of the ABDA area in
relation to those of other theaters of war. Reoo~nendations to the President and to the Prime
Minister emanating from the joint Chiefs of Staff would reflect this balanced perspective.
 
                (b) Consultations with 'the Dutch, Australian, and New Zealand governments can not
well be carried out in several places without serious loss of time, and creation of confusion. For
the reasons set out in parasraph 4 of the attached revised memorandum, London would appear to
be the logical place for carrying on such consultations. The Chiefs of Staff committee in
Washington can of course, keep the representatives of the Dutch and Dominion governments
informed, should this be considered desirable.
 
                (c) The suggested duplication of messages from the Supreme Commander to London
and Washington is for the purpose of saving time. The copy sent to Washington would be the
action copy, but the one to London would furnish the basis for immediate comment to
Washington.
 
                (d) Adimral Pound feels that, in view of his conversation with the Prime Minister this
morning the attached procedure will be entirely acceptable to the Prime Minister.
 
 
     
     Chief of Staff                Chief of Naval Operations
 
     
     Commander in Chief            Chief of Air Force
     U.S. Fleet