December 29, 1941
 
ANNEX 2
to
'JCCSs-5
 
     PROYOSED METHOD OF'HANDLING MATTERS CONCERNING TIlE SOUTHWEST
PACIFIC THEATER
 
        1. It is assumed that the chief matters on which decisions
would have to be given would be'
 
_a The provision of reinforcements.
b    A major change in policy.
_c    Departure from the Supreme Commander's directive.
 
2. It is suggested that no special body should be set up for this
purpose because it would tend to clog the machine for tile following
reasons'
 
            _a    It would be necessary to have Dutch, Australian, and
New Zealand representatives on this body.
 
            b_    Each representative in _a would probably wish for
time to consult his government before giving an opinion.
 
                 It is proposed, therefore, that existing machinery
should be used in the following manner'
 
             a The Supreme Commander would telegraph to the Chiefs of
Staff Committee, both in London and in Washington~ his proposal,
whatever it might be.
 
            b_    The Chiefs of Staff Committee in London would
inunediately telegraph to the British Mission in Washington to say
whether or not they would be telegraphing any opinions.
,
 
            _c On receipt of these opinions, the United States Chiefs
of Staff and the Representatives in Washington of the British Chiefs of
Staff would meet and consider tile problem and would submit their
'x
recommendations to the President and by telegraph to the Prime Minister
and Minister of Defence. The Prime Minister would then inform the
President whether he was in agreement with their recommendations.
 
        4.    As the Dutch Government is in London, and as the
principal representatives of the New Zealand and Australian 6overmnents
are also in London, it is proposed that the agreement of these
Governments to any proposal should be obtained by the British
Government and this would be included in the final telegram to
Washington.
 
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