Cablegram 181 LONDON, 14 March 1940, 8.40 p.m.
MOST SECRET FOR THE PRIME MINISTER
Dominions Office telegram No. 74. [1] Appears clear if Japan is to be prevented from obtaining footing in Timor, will be necessary to buy Wittouck [2] out. Information here indicates that Oil Concessions Ltd. prepared to find substantial sum with this object and Dutch apparently prepared to co-operate. I have arranged for meeting at the Foreign Office beginning of next week to discuss the whole position, at which Lord Cadman [3] will be present as I feel if any British financial participation it should be through Anglo-Iranian Company and possibly Commonwealth Oil Refineries.
Please advise me your views.
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1 Document 97.
2 S. F. Wittouck, Managing Director of the Asia Investment Company.
3 Chairman of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. See Document 124.
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[AA: A981, TIMOR (PORTUGUESE) 22, v]