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

694.001/4–1052

No. 552
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Allison) to the Secretary of State

confidential

[Washington,] April 10, 1952.

Subject:

• Coming Into Effect of Japanese Peace Treaty

At your meeting with the President this morning it is recommended that, in view of the favorable action completed yesterday by the Congress on the extension of Emergency Powers and the necessity for the Department to be in a position to make an early announcement with regard to the bringing into effect of the Treaty of Peace with Japan, you suggest that he now sign the Instrument of Ratification and transmit it to the Department. Deposit of the ratification by the Department will not be effected until the date upon which it is determined that the Treaty can and should be brought into effect.

It now appears possible that by next Monday or Tuesday, April 14 or 15, it will be possible to give the minimum ten days notice of the date for bringing the Treaty into effect, which would thus be about April 24.

The situation as of this morning with regard to the deposits of ratifications of other key signatories is as follows:

1. The United Kingdom deposited its ratification on January 3.

2. Australia deposited its ratification this morning.

3. New Zealand is today expecting authorization to make the deposit of the ratification instrument which is now being held by the Embassy.

4. Canada—Parliamentary action was completed yesterday and the Embassy expects to receive the instrument of ratification together with instructions for its immediate deposit within the next few days.

5. Pakistan—The instrument of ratification has been dispatched to the Embassy and its receipt is expected within the next few days together with authorization for its immediate deposit.

6. Ceylon—The instrument of ratification has been transmitted to the Embassy and should be received very shortly together with authorization for its deposit.

7. France—Parliamentary procedures for ratification have been completed and the Embassy anticipates receiving the instrument of ratification together with authorization for its deposit during the course of the next week.

As the deposit of ratifications of only five of the above-mentioned countries, in addition to that of the United States, is necessary to bring the Treaty into effect, it now appears entirely reasonable to expect that the Treaty can be brought into effect during the month of April.¹

If the President desires to sign the Instrument of Ratification, the documents required therefor will be completed and transmitted to him by the Department today.

You also may wish to mention to the President that the Department will be sending to the White House today or early tomorrow the papers for the transmittal by him to the Senate of the nomination of Mr. Robert Murphy as Ambassador to Japan.

It is also suggested that you recommend to the President that he sign the three Security Treaties, that is, with Japan, with the Philippines, and with Australia and New Zealand, so that action may be taken by the Department to bring these Treaties into effect at the appropriate time.

The timing of the bringing into effect of all of these Treaties will be carried out in consultation with the Department of Defense.

1. New Zealand deposited its ratification later on Apr. 10, Canada and Pakistan on Apr. 17, and France on Apr. 18.