611.94/2–852: Telegram
No. 501
The United States Political Adviser to
SCAP (Sebald) to the Department of State
priority
Topad 1651. Eyes only Secretary from Rusk. No distribution outside Dept. Re my No. 14 in other series,1 you should know that I felt before leaving Washington that present Japanese reaction was entirely predictable and that our interests would be best protected by relying upon security treaty pending more general and highly confidential talks between US and Japanese Govt this entire field. I did not press this view to highest level then because JCS felt strongly about it and I thought we could at least explore matter with Japs.
Your own consideration my No. 14 should take into account facts it reflects to some extent views held prior to departure and also fact we have not yet applied heaviest pressures in negotiation. I would regret using up such pressures on Art XXII when we may need them for Arts II, XV and XXIII which are far more important to us in substance than Art XXII.
I feel we have best chance maintaining rights security treaty by working with Japanese Govt on practical basis and not by rubbing their noses publicly in formal statements or agreements which spell out satellite status. Any attempt by us to claim that action US Forces in Japan is not intimately related to Japan’s security, Japanese sovereignty and responsibility Japanese Govt is bound to fail. We might get our paragraphs on paper but lose sympathy and support our friends in Japan who are carrying heavy load Japanese public opinion on such questions as rearmament, budgetary difficulties, reparations, trade with mainland, extensive facilities and areas needed by our forces.
[Page 1145]Japan has large, literate, trained industrious population, biggest industrial potential between Urals and US Midwest, and inevitable role leadership in Asia and is associate we cannot afford lose by mishandling this important juncture of changing relationships. I fully recognize weight of consideration advanced by JCS and necessity State–Defense teamwork and will do best to carry out final policy this matter.