Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume III
84 — The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand
84
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand
My telegrams of 4 and 5 December [Nos. 80 and 82].
The position is that we have now received an assurance of armed support from the United States:
(a) |
If we find it necessary either to forestall a Japanese landing in the Kra Isthmus or to occupy part of the Isthmus as a counter to Japanese violation of any other part of Thailand; |
(b) |
if the Japanese attack the Netherlands East Indies and we go at once to the support of the latter; |
(c) |
if the Japanese attack us. |
2. We have accordingly instructed the Commander-in-Chief Far East that he should take action as he has suggested (see paragraph 2 of my telegram of 30 November [No. 73]) without reference to us if either:
(a) |
He has good information that a Japanese expedition is advancing with the apparent intention of landing on the Kra Isthmus, or, |
(b) |
The Japanese violate any other part of Thailand. |
3. The Commander-in-Chief Far East has also been authorised, in the event of a Japanese attack on the Netherlands East Indies, to put into operation without further reference to us the plan already agreed with the Netherlands authorities.