Office of the Historian

693.94/1–1652: Telegram

No. 478
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1

secret
priority
Washington, January 17, 1952—1:46 p.m.

3386. Reurtel 3105, Jan 16.2 Ref Yoshida letter to Dulles re China, FYI Dept on Jan 9, prior to mtg sched for 10th between Eden and Acheson to discuss Japan-China problem, gave Brit Amb memo3 reviewing background of UK–US discussions on this [Page 1093] matter which stated among other things, “on Jan 7 Mr. Dulles reed by pouch ltr from Mr. Yoshida dated Dec 24, 1951, stating Japan’s intentions as regards China.” Original Yoshida ltr was shown to Brit Amb with request that he inform Eden concerning it. Amb read letter twice attentively. Jan 10 mtg did not have before it actual text of Yoshida ltr but did discuss thoroughly all issues raised by the ltr particularly intention of Yoshida to state policy now, the Senate attitude making this important for Japan to do so and the qualified nature of the contemplated Japan Treaty with Natl China, which wld be limited to “territories which are now or which may hereafter be under control of Natl Govt.”4Eden said he cld not alter his Govt’s preference that any expression of intention by Japan shld be withheld until multilateral treaty actually came into force but if this was not practicable, we wld merely have to agree to disagree and minimize importance of disagreement.

Dept advised morning of Jan 16 of Yoshida’s intention to release that evening, but did not inform Brit Amb, as we assumed Brit wld prefer not to be privy.5

Acheson
  1. Drafted by Dulles and approved for transmission by Allison.↩

  2. This telegram reads:

    “FonOff completely taken aback over simultaneous publication today in Tokyo and Wash of Yoshida letter to Dulles on future Jap relations with China. Dening reports from Tokyo he given text by Jap FonOff press officer one hour before release; FonOff so far unable get thru by telephone to Brit Emb Wash ascertain whether Dept had given Franks advance warning.” (693.94/1–1652)

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  3. Document 466.↩
  4. This quotation is an apparent paraphrase of a passage in the Yoshida letter of Dec. 24.↩

  5. In telegram 3138 from London, Jan. 18, the Embassy replied:

    “As Dept doubtless now aware, much of FonOff consternation over Yoshida letter has been due to failure Franks tell Eden about it (Deptel 3386, Jan 17). Nevertheless FonOff discussions still reflect annoyance letter not mentioned by Secretary or Dulles during Jan 10 conversation with Eden. Deptel 3300, Jan 11, giving résumé this conv, received in Emb Jan 17.” (693.94/1–1852)

    Telegram 3300 to London repeated Topad 1951 to Tokyo, quoted in footnote 3, Document 468.

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