894.30/6–1946: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received June 22—5:20 p.m.]
272. Remytel 261, June 11.64 As Chief, Diplomatic Section, I am today forwarding the following letter to General Derevyanko, Soviet member Allied Council:
“With reference to your letter No. 40194 of 3 June 1946, addressed to the Supreme Commander, and to my letter of 14 June 1946, in reply regarding the question of Jap shipping, I feel that there are several points which I should bring urgently to your attention with the request that you in turn, as expeditiously as possible invite the attention of your Govt to them.
“You will recall that I mentioned in my letter that present repatriation plans require the use of all operable Jap ships. To make possible consideration of the final disposition of these vessels it would appear to be necessary to complete the repatriation of Japanese from abroad as rapidly as possible.
[Here follows review of repatriation developments since the Potsdam Conference of 1945.]
“I submit the opinion that the applicable terms of surrender should not be unilaterally abrogated or disregarded but should be carried out voluntarily, and as promptly as practicable, by all Allied authorities concerned. The Supreme Commander, on his part, has done all in his power to see that there is full and prompt compliance with these terms. Failure on the part of one govt or officials of one govt to offer the same measure of full cooperation as has been received from other Allied Govts to put into operation a progressive program for repatriation of Japanese may well give rise to widespread misapprehension and misunderstanding.
“It is requested, therefore, that this matter be brought urgently to the attention of your govt in order that instructions may be issued to the appropriate Soviet authorities to deliver to repatriation ports Japanese now held by them. Details of the program may readily be worked out by mutual agreement between appropriate officials of General Headquarters of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and your office.
“As this matter is already before the Allied Council in some aspects, I express the hope that you may be in position to provide definite information in regard to it by the time of the next regular meeting scheduled for 26 June.65 Very sincerely yours, for the Supreme Commander.”
- Not found in Department files.↩
- In despatch 492, July 9, from Tokyo, Mr. Atcheson, after noting the Soviet member’s argument that repatriation in general was a subject not within the cognizance of the Allied Council, concluded: “Continued delay in reaching a settlement of this aspect of the repatriation problem forms the basis for unhealthy rumors concerning treatment of Japanese nationals in Manchuria, Siberia, and other Soviet-controlled territories, as well as exaggerated speculation regarding Soviet designs in this part of the world. Failure to settle this problem is, we believe, detrimental to American prestige in Japan and possibly elsewhere in the Far East.” (740.00119 PW/7–946)↩