740.00119 Control (Korea)/3–147: Telegram

Major General Albert E. Brown to the Department of State and the War Department

secret
urgent

Pass to Hodge. Cite Zgcg 268. Reply dated 28 February from Chistiakov37 to General Hodge’s December 24 letter has been received. Text will be transmitted today. In general reply has a friendly tone. Hodge’s proposals have apparently been accepted with what appears from hasty reading as a possible effort to exclude from consultation certain individuals who have compromised themselves by actively voicing opposition to Moscow decision. An analysis of these changes with recommendations will be transmitted in few days. No publicity will be given locally.38

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[For text of address by Assistant Secretary of State John H. Hilldring before the Economic Club of Detroit on March 10 on the subject “Korea—House Divided”, see Department of State Bulletin, March 23, 1947, pages 544–547. After reviewing the situation in Korea, General Hilldring said: “I feel certain that before too long we can arrive at a formula for the waiting period that lies ahead that will be tolerable to the Koreans and the Korean leaders. In any case we are not leaving. We have an important job to do, and we are going to stay until the job is done.”]

  1. For text of letter, see Far Eastern Series No. 18: Korea’s Independence, p. 31.
  2. In telegram 528, March 15, noon, to Moscow, the Department stated: “We do not feel Chistiakov’s reply of Feb 28 to Hodge’s letter of Dec 24 provides sound basis for reconvening Joint Commission. It has been given no publicity here or in Korea and will not be answered for time being.” (740.00119 Control (Korea)/3–1347)