Office of the Historian

693.941/2–2852: Telegram

No. 534
The Secretary of State to the Office of the United States Political Adviser to SCAP (Sebald)1

confidential
priority
Washington, February 28, 1952—5:21 p.m.

Topad 2334. Sebald from Dulles. Discussion with Senators Smith and Knowland indicates growing reluctance several Senators act on Jap Treaty while Taipei negots in what appears critical state and while certain elements spread suspicion Jap Govt not negotiating in good faith, but would seek pretext to break negots as soon as US Senate acted. Don’t believe this reflects majority Senate opinion but in view of almost unlimited possibilities of delay which Senate procedure affords even small minority, suggest that, at your discretion, you bring situation to Yoshida’s attn in the hope good progress can be made and atmosphere of suspicion dispelled. Having gone so far, and we believe rightly so, to win US Congressional goodwill, don’t believe result should be prejudiced by technicalities on matters of substance. We on our side, will be prepared, if appropriate occasion arises, to use good offices to urge Chi not make unreasonable demands not contemplated by multilateral or Yoshida–Dulles formula.

On basis present Senate calendar earliest possible consideration would be end next week or first fol week.2

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

  2. In his memorandum of a conversation held with President Truman on Feb. 28, Acheson stated: “The President said he would get in touch with Senator Ernest McFarland of Arizona on Monday. He believes it was a wise thing to put the Japanese Treaty ahead of the Tidelands bill and believes that that could and should be done. He thought that they had to dispose in some way of the Hawaiian Statehood bill this week.” (Secretary’s Memoranda, lot 53 D 444)

    However, in telegram 2371 to Tokyo, Mar. 4, the Department reported that the Senate on Mar. 3 had voted to consider the Tidelands oil bill first. “Therefore outlook is for treaty not to come up at least until next week and for at least several days debate thereon.” (694.001/3–452)

    ↩