Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The Far East, Volume VI

894.635/6–2947: Telegram

The Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State

secret

Tokyo, June 29, 1947—7 p.m.

174. Cite C 53696. Reference War 81105 received 28 June, Angaur Island phosphate project.

1. Suggest information in SCAP statement to press 28 June quoted in my 173, June 28, 7 p.m. be communicated to Australian Embassy and that Embassy be further advised: (a) That this Headquarters had no knowledge of Australian aide-mémoire of 29 May⁷ and would have been glad at any time furnish complete information regarding the project which has been in process for more than one year; (b) that information furnished Embassy by Department regarding employment Jap technicians et cetera is correct except, as mentioned in press release, equipment is American which will be returned to United States upon project’s completion; (c) that, while Japs will be responsible for supply and maintenance sufficient personnel to insure non-retarding of operations presently under contract to Pomeroy Company, all aspects of operation are and will be under closest continuous observation and supervision by SCAP personnel; (d) that Jap personnel is being and throughout has been segregated in specific area under military government inspection and control; (e) that all Jap personnel will be returned to Japan on completion of project.

2. Australian aide-mémoire casts new light on British Foreign Office spokesman’s statement cited in my telegram under reference as, notwithstanding discussion between Department and Australian Embassy, it says incorrectly in so many words there was no discussion with any ally. This reinforces our impression that at Australian instance British Government is deliberately looking for possibilities of criticism of SCAP. Another example appears in MA⁸ Melbourne message C 3547 quoting Melbourne Herald: “The manner in which General MacArthur has granted the Japanese permission to send a second whaling expedition to the Antarctic, with what appears to be a brusque disregard of America’s undertaking to consult other interested powers, is a justification for the protest that Australia has made.”

3. Telegrams from WD this subject since March give no indication any international problems in connection with it. Although Australian aide-mémoire was presented 29 May this headquarters had no knowledge thereof until receipt of War 81105 as routine message today, subsequent to issuance our press release and despatch my telegram under reference. Scapin 1736 to Japanese Government on Angaur project was issued 21 June and could have been withheld pending clarification with Australian Embassy if we had known Australia was raising objection. It is extremely embarrassing to this Headquarters to proceed on instructions from Washington and later learn of foreign objections and find itself the target of false and unwarranted foreign criticism.⁹

Atcheson

7. Not printed.
8. Military Attaché.
9. In telegram 175, June 29, Mr. Atcheson expressed the hope that the Department would be in a position to counteract unwarranted British and Australian criticism of SCAP in connection with the second Antarctic whaling expedition and the Angaur phosphate project (894.628/6–2947).