recommendation that, should we be forced into a war with Japan, 
 
we should, because of the prospect of war in the Atlantic also, 
 
definitely plan to avoid operations in the Far East or the Mid-
 
Pacific that will prevent the Navy from promptly moving to the 
 
Atlantic forces fully adequate to safeguard our interests and 
 
policies in the event of a British collapse. We ought not now 
 
willingly engage in any war against Japan unless we are certain 
 
of aid from Great Britain and the Netherlands East Indies.
 
              No important allied military decision should be reached 
 
without clear undertanding between the nations involved as to 
 
the strength and extent of the participation which may be expected 
 
in any particular theater, and as to a proposed skeleton plan 
 
of operations.
 
              Accordingly, I make the recommendation that, as a 
 
preliminary to possible entry of the United States into the 
 
conflict, the United States Army and Navy at once undertake 
 
secret staff  talks on technical matters with the British 
 
military and naval authorities in London, with Canadian military 
 
authorities in Washington, and with British and Dutch authorities
 
in Singapore and Batavia. The purpose would be to reach agree-
 
ments and lay down plans for promoting unity of allied effort 
 
should the United States find it necessary to enter the war 
 
under any of the alternative eventualities considered in this
memorandum.
 
                                             /s/ H. R. Stark.
 
 
                               -26-