Britain in East Asia "in order to facilitate Britain's surren¬der," it was asserted, could be fulfilled by secret instigation of an independence movement in India and Burma and adoption of a strong policy toward Hongkong, Shanghai and Tientsin. The taking of a step further in striking England by an attack upoh Singapore was discussed. The question was posed as to whether it would be advisable to take "joint action with Germany against America after the establishment of the New Order in East Asia a few years hence" and the possibility of taking joint action with Germany against America in South America was discussed. It was considered that Italy should be a party to the coalition in the same manner as Germany because of the possibility of an Italian advance into Iran and India which would bring her into conflict with Russian interests. The opinion of the conferees was unified on these matters and the necessity for immediate execution of their plans was expressed. 138 THE FALL OF TEE YONAI CABINET As early as 10 May 194-0 Minister Stahmer and Ambassador Ott reported to the Reich Foreign Minister the possibility of an early replacement of the Cabinet by a new government which, according to their language, it was hoped would be "under the leadership of Prince KONOYE, of the group friendly to us»n ^ Germany's interest in seeing the YONAI Cabinet replaced by one which would be closer to Germany was reflected in the cable of 138Exhibit 528, TP 6,212. 139Exhibit 515, TP 6,151.