740.00119 Control (Japan)/10–846
The Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
No. 639
[Received October 22.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to this Mission’s despatch no. 615, September 26, 1946,17 on the subject of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Allied Council for Japan, held on September 18, 1946 and to enclose a copy [Page 337] of a letter dated September 30, 1946, from myself,18 as Chairman and Member for the United States, to Lieutenant General K. N. Derevyanko, Member for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in regard to the question of his requests for information.
As indicated in the reference despatch, an endeavor was made during the meeting of September 18 to satisfy the Soviet Member’s request for information concerning the Demobilization Board and the progress made in the destruction of Japanese armaments and war materials. During the meeting the Soviet Member stated that my information was very brief and of a general nature. He also indicated that he would request General Headquarters to furnish additional information in reply to specific questions which he had placed on the Agenda.
It has been the invariable experience of General Headquarters and of this Mission that the Office of the Soviet Member has virtually ignored requests for information especially desired by the Supreme Commander in the discharge of his responsibilities and directly connected with the Occupation. In a few cases in which replies have been received from the Soviet group, the information furnished has been superficial and largely of a negative character.
With the dual purpose of discouraging the Soviet Member from using the Council to obtain detailed intelligence concerning Japan and the Occupation forces, as well as of placing the matter on the record, I addressed the letter of September 30 to General Derevyanko, with the concurrence of General MacArthur.
It is clear from the Soviet Member’s statement at the Sixteenth Meeting, held on October 2, 1946 (see Verbatim Minutes of the Sixteenth Meeting, forwarded as an accompaniment with our despatch no. 638, October 8, 194618) that the subject of the Demobilization Board was placed on the Agenda with a view to making a false attack upon the Occupation authorities.
Respectfully yours,