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

110.15 AL/9–1152: Telegram

No. 597
The Ambassador in Japan (Murphy) to the Department of State

secret

Tokyo, September 11, 1952—6 p.m.

905. For Allison. I believe I fully appreciate considerations outlined in urtel 642.¹ All that being said we still are faced with practical problem of what may develop in elections of Oct 1. We are asked for a statement only—not a loan. This is not necessarily expensive. If we don’t do it and elections swing against us we might reproach ourselves later. If we pause for moment to consider possibilities it might be well to remember now that Yoshida element of Liberal Party has promised to seek gradual increase of Jap defense power in proportion to its nat strength and to take steps toward nat security in accordance with US-Jap security treaty. It also stands for estab of collective security machinery and coop with free world. The announced purposes of remaining 3 major opposition parties are not as favorable. Progressive Party promises to seek recovery of lost terms; to advocate internat atomic energy control and disarmament; revision of unequal treaties such as US-Jap security treaty and US-Jap admin agrmt and re-examination of various ordinances issued during occupation. Right wing Socialists will seek drastic revision of US-Jap security treaty and US-Jap admin agrmt; and attempt to work out overall disarmament program thru UN and conclude treaties of commerce and navigation with all nations on equal footing.

Left wing Socialists promise to adhere to independent neutral dipl policy, to abolish mil power and US-Jap security treaty; to rqst return of Okinawa, Bon Islands, Kurile Islands and So-Sakhalin and seek interchange of trade and culture with Asian countries.

Certainly there are disquieting overtones in some announced policies of 3 major opposition parties. In fact there is definite ring of hostility in some of it. Naturally sweeping platform assertions are subj to discount. Nevertheless Liberal Party has not seen fit to adopt even hint of anti-Americanism in its platform. Starting from there I feel that Amer chances for future with this party in power will be more favorable.

The argument that this or any other party may be considered US puppet does not impress me. If when we are asked to help our friends we hesitate because of that doubt, it might be better to retire into complete state of isolationism. I believe in a sitn like this if party leadership is convinced that action will be to their advantage that we shld give them credit for understanding their own domestic problem a little better than we do.

Suggestion made to Okazaki mentioned in my 841² that present govt has not brought home adequately to Jap public extent and volume of US expenditures and financial support is bearing fruit. He immed came out in speech to his constituents referring to generous aid US has contributed since end hostilities. Of course on that subj as I see the past we have not particularly urged Japs to publicize aid which they recd. I know Germans never volunteered to do that unless we stimulated it. I believe we shld do more to needle them on this score and we will continue to do so here.

I have had another conversation with Okazaki in which I informed him of some of the considerations outlined in urtel especially asking that he make suggestion about an appropriate peg. I am seeing both Yoshida and Okazaki again at end of this week and will tele further.³

Murphy

1. See footnote 1, supra.
2. Supra.

3. In telegram 922 from Tokyo, Sept. 15, Ambassador Murphy included a statement which he had drafted following a discussion with Okazaki. The statement laid emphasis on U.S. plans for procurement of military and other supplies in Japan but did not specify specific amounts. (110.15 AL/9–1552)

   Telegram 712 to Tokyo, Sept. 16, marked “From Allison”, drafted by the Assistant Secretary and cleared in NA and ED, reads as follows: “Greatly appreciate ur 905 and 922 re possible statement. Dept now giving urgent consideration possibility making statement along lines suggested ur 922. I hope it will be possible make it even stronger than you suggest and that we can say definitely there will be substantial procurement supplies in Japan over coming year. You will be informed definitely soonest.” (110.15 AL/9–1152)