Office of the Historian

Department of Defense files: Telegram

No. 495
The Supreme Commander, Allied Powers (Ridgway) to the Department of the Army1

secret priority
Tokyo, February 4, 1952—7:12 p.m.

C 62867. Negotiations have progressed to point where it appears gap Japanese and US positions has been virtually closed on Article I. Gap narrowing Articles II and XV. No real progress made Article XXII.

Tentatively, am approaching conclusion Japanese have fundamental disagreement with US on substance this article though they still state disagreement is not one of substance but of political sensitivity. We have made no concessions on substance and no wording change Paragraph 1, Article XXII. Have explored textual change without substantive change Paragraph 2 this article. No finalization of either textual or substantive changes will be agreed to without reference to Washington, nor am I seeking additional instructions at this time.

Believe present progress and lack of progress negotiations warrant your reviewing them in light of proposal by Senate to report treaty out of committee this week. Feel strongly open debate Senate floor this time would further add to burden of negotiations here. While am not personally privy to overall considerations of policy and developments in Far East, subject to that lack of knowledge still strongly believe that administrative agreement should come into effect simultaneously with 2 treaties.

Rusk, Ridgway have not been asked to concur, but information copies furnished them.2

  1. Marked “From Earl Johnson” and “SecDef Wash DC for Frank Nash pass immediately to Secretary State, JCS Wash DC”.↩

  2. The Department of the Army replied in message DA 900472 to CINCFE, Tokyo, dated Feb. 7. It reads:

    “Sec Def requests you pass fol msg to Earl Johnson.

    “Strongly concur your views re Senate action on Jap Treaty. It continues to be defense viewpoint that negotiations on admin agreement should be concluded prior to action on treaty. In connection with foregoing, have so represented to Allison and Johnson of State. It is most important that you inform us your best estimate on date of completion of negotiations.

    “We are concerned about lack of progress on Article 22. Defense position on importance of including Article 22 in admin agreement remains unchanged.” (Tokyo Post files, 320.1 Bilateral Security Treaty)

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