Cablegram unnumbered 5 July 1940,
MOST SECRET
On further reading proposed reply to Japan [1] and latest news
regarding increased power of militant party in Japan we are
impressed by view that if Great Britain not in fact sending
materials of war along Burmese Road there should be no difficulty
about undertaking [? not] to do so. Press cables to Australia
suggesting that Great Britain insisting upon the right to supply
war material to China are doing harm to public opinion which feels
that such materials are badly needed by British countries. Suggest
therefore that agreement regarding prevention of passage of such
material can properly be made. This applies Hong Kong Frontier as
well as Burma. [2]
MENZIES
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1 Document 3.
2 This cablegram was repeated to R. G. Casey, Minister to the
United States, and to Peter Fraser, N.Z. Prime Minister.
Bruce replied on 6 July: ‘United Kingdom supplies passing over
Burma road negligible. Supplies affected would be mainly American.
‘See cablegram 521 on file AA: A981, Far East 31, ii.
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[AA: A981, FAR EAST 31, ii]
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