Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, China and Japan, Volume XIV, Part 2

693.94/1–1452: Telegram

No. 473
The United States Political Adviser to SCAP (Sebald) to the Department of State

secret
niact

Tokyo, January 14, 1952—7 p.m.

Topad 1464. Re Deptel 1952, January 11.¹ In view Yoshida’s absence at FonOff and press speculation which wld arise were I visit him there as well as undesirability thereby possibly linking USPol-Ad with early publication Yoshida’s ltr, discussed substance Deptel 1951² and reftel with Iguchi this afternoon.

After consulting Yoshida, Iguchi informed me that Yoshida raised question whether Chinese Natl Govt is agreeable to formula contained in penultimate sentence third para ltr beginning “the terms of such bilateral treaty shall.…”³Yoshida requests assurance that Chinese Natl Govt agrees this formula and unless such assurance forthcoming wld prefer not release let at this time. On other hand he wld have no objection showing ltr on confidential basis to members Senate Foreign Relations Comite. I told Iguchi that to best my knowledge Chinese Natl Govt does agree this formula but said I wld request reassurance from Dept and advise him tomorrow morning.

Yoshida also wishes notify Cabinet at mtg scheduled 1000 Jan 16 (Jan 15 is national holiday) prior releasing ltr to press and requests release be deferred until noon Jan 16 Tokyo time. As release prior Cabinet knowledge of ltr wld be most embarrassing Yoshida, I agreed suggested deferred release time. Dept may therefore wish consider releasing text ltr 2200 Jan 15 Washington time as simultaneous release with Tokyo.

Request immed reply by niact tel marked “emergency” concerning assurance requested above.

Sebald

1. Document 471.
2. See footnote 3, Document 468.
3. Ellipsis in the source text.