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

794C.0221/12–2353: Telegram

No. 718
The Ambassador in Japan (Allison) to the Department of State¹

secret

Tokyo, November 28, 1953—9 a.m.

1341. General Hull and I agreed that conditional statement in proposed note regarding Amami transfer (Department telegram 1212)² dealing with US intention maintain present control and authority in remaining Article 3, Islands, is not adequate or affirmative enough to make our position clear. We believe it most important US Government make positive statement our intention maintain indefinitely present rights. I have been concerned over growing Okinawan Irredentist activity and General Hull, who has just returned from Okinawa, tells me he feels it imperative US position be made unmistakably clear. Such a statement should also go far quiet Chinese concern over Ryukyus (Taipei telegram sent Department 302, Tokyo 75).³

My tentative view is such statement would better be made in Washington than here, preferably by Secretary, in order to give the statement full weight of US Government. Statement should probably be made at time Amamis are transferred. We now exploring with FEC timing and substance such statement. Will keep Department informed.

Allison

1. Repeated for information to Taipei. This telegram was attached to Drumright’s memorandum to the Secretary, Document 721.
2. See footnote 5, Document 709.
3. Not printed.