740.00119 PW/6–546: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 5—6:45 a.m.]
1759. Lozovski replied on June 1 to our previous letters of April 6 (ReEmb’s 1067, April 656) and of May 8 (ReEmb’s 1478, May 957) in regard to disposition of Japanese naval and merchant fleets. Letter in translation reads as follows:
“1. Soviet Govt, in accordance with proposal of Govt of USA, gave instructions to its member on Allied Council for Japan, Lt. General Derevyanko, to communicate with Supreme Commander for Allied Powers in Japan on question of allotting to Soviet command portion of Jap warships and merchant vessels under his control for fulfilling tasks connected with completion of capitulation of Japan in districts occupied by troops of Red Army. Appropriate data on quantity and condition of Jap vessels which are under control of Soviet command were communicated to Supreme Allied Commander in Japan by member of AC, Lt General Derevyanko, in letter of April 12, 1946.58
“2. Prior to moment of final allocation of Jap war vessels among four Allied powers, Soviet Govt believes it necessary to proceed now to inventory and draw up exact lists of war vessels subject to division. For these aims it is proposed to form commission of competent representatives of four Allied powers, USSR, USA, Great Britain and China with a view toward this commission setting to work in very near future.
“For purpose of maintaining Jap war vessels subject to division in good condition, Soviet Govt believes it necessary that these vessels be freed from carrying out repatriation work, the more so considering they are fully unsuited for accomplishment of this type of task. Instead of these vessels it would be more expedient to use for repatriation the large Jap war vessels subject to destruction as well as transport ships of Jap merchant fleet.
“3. For carrying out preliminary measures for disposition of Japanese merchant fleet among Allied powers and for purpose of facilitating [Page 527] negotiations for its final allocation, Soviet Govt believes it expedient to form analogous competent commission for representatives of four Allied powers: USSR, USA, Great Britain, China, which should immediately proceed to take inventory of Jap merchant fleet, evaluate it, ascertain technical condition, etc.”
- Not printed, but see telegram 599, April 1, 7 p.m., to Moscow, p. 485.↩
- See footnote 27, p. 510.↩
- In repeating Moscow’s telegram 1759 (in telegram 347, June 7, 6 p.m.) the Department informed Tokyo with reference to this paragraph that “Dept has not been informed that data on Japanese vessels under Soviet control were submitted to SCAP by Gen. Derevyanko as stated in Soviet note. Your comments requested.” (740.00119 PW/6–546).↩