that 95% of the oil used on the eastern coast comes from that area; and that one-half of the
Lend-lease oil for Britain.comes from that area.  He stated that the troops on these Islands should
be placed on the strictest alert; that time was of the greatest importance; and suggested that the
British Chiefs of Staff do everything they could with their own authorities in London to expedite
American entry into these Islands, particularly aviation units.
 
        ADMIRAL POUND agreed to take the matter up that afternoon.
 
10. PACIFIC AREA. -
 
ADMIRAL STARK listed the joint aims in the Pacific, as follows:
Protection of the Burma Road
Aid to China
Aid to the Netherlands East Indies to hold Singapore To hold the Philippine Islands
Use of Australia as a base.
 
               ADMIRAL STARK then reviewed the Naval situation in the Far East as pertains to the
Asiatic .Fleet. GENERAL MARSHALL reviewed the arrangements which had been made to get
planes to the Philippines, not only from Australia, but by convoys; also by flying by way of the
eastern route. GENERAL MARSHALL stated that the critical feature of assistance to the
Philippines from Australia was the existence of fields in Borneo; and that the present issue is to
elaborate our plans for building up bases in Australia.
 
ADMIRAL POUND then reviewed what ships the British Navy has around
Singapore.
 
               The question was asked MARSHAL DILL as to his opinion of the situation at
Singapore, to which he replied that, with reinforcements, the British would be able to hold
Singapore State.
 
         11.    BOMBARDMENT OF JAPAN. -
 
               ADMIRAL STARK asked as to the situation in China for air fields to be used as bases
for bombing attacks against Japan.
 
                GENERAL ARNOLD stated that General-Brett had written for air transport planes for
use in reconnaissance work and for supply. He stated that no bombing operations should be
undertaken against Japan unless they are strong enough to create substantial damage; that the
minimum number of bombers should be 50; that unsustained attacks would only tend to
solidify the Japanese people.
 
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