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The Australian Ambassador (Makin) to President Truman
My Dear Mr. President: The Prime Minister of Australia, the Eight Honourable R. G. Menzies, K.C., M.P., has asked me to convey to you immediately the following personal message, which has just been received by cable:—
“Top secret.
“To President Truman from the Prime Minister.
“I realise the heavy responsibilities which you are carrying at present. We are anxious to share your burdens and to contribute if we can to a solution of the difficult problems which confront the United Nations in Korea. It will greatly assist myself and my Ministers if you could have conveyed to us through whatever channels you may regard as the most suitable the views of yourself and your administration upon the following questions (a) What military line in Korea is it expected we shall be able to stabilize? (b) Having regard to the new factors introduced by the serious and large scale Chinese Communist intervention in Korea, what should be our military objectives both short term and long term? (c) What are the immediate military objectives of the Central Peoples Government of China? It appears to us extremely difficult if not impossible to determine the particular ways [Page 1427] along which United Nations political activity can best be directed until satisfactory answers are found to the questions which I have enumerated.” (Message ends).
I have [etc.]