447
General Freyberg to the Prime Minister (San Francisco)

Your emergency operations cable of 16 May is acknowledged.

I am preparing an early appreciation as requested. This will take some hours. I send you an interim report. The situation on our level as between the Commanders on the spot is cordial and there is no reason to fear immediate trouble. While I am of the opinion that the situation will get worse before it gets better, bringing with it possibilities of trouble, I do not see how you can do otherwise than authorise the use of the Division, which happens to be at the critical point, neither would any of the force wish you to do otherwise. We are disposed therefore for any possibility.

A more detailed appreciation on the present situation and current events follows in eight hours.