740.00119 Control (Korea)/8–2347: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs)
177. Text Soviet note dated Moscow Aug 23 received by Dept today follows:
“Dear Mr. Marshall: I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of August 12, 1947 on the question of the work of the Joint Soviet-American Commission.
As is known, the work of the Joint Commission was resumed on the basis of the three conditions for consultation with Korean democratic parties and social organizations which were textually set forth in my letter of May 7, 1947 and accepted by you in a letter of May 13. The Soviet delegation was instructed to be guided in questions of consultation specifically by these conditions. In accordance with these conditions the Joint Commission should consult with those democratic parties and social organizations which fully support the Moscow Decision on Korea.
However, applications to participate in the consultations were also submitted by parties and organizations belonging to the Anti-Trusteeship Committee.
The Soviet Government considers that the admittance of such parties and organizations to the consultations could take place only in the event that these parties and organizations officially break with the above-mentioned Committee and announce their withdrawal from the Committee, without which consultations with them should not be carried on.
The Soviet Government, standing on the position of wide consultation with Korean democratic parties and organizations, does not consider that the Joint Commission should consult with such organizations as have in their ranks only tens or hundreds of persons. Such organizations exist in large number and consultation with them would not be effective in view of their lack of authority. Furthermore, consultation with such small groups would drag out the work of the Joint Commission for many months, and would lead to the postponement of the creation of a Government of Korea for a long time. The Soviet Government considers that consultation can be conducted with parties and organizations whose members number more than 10,000 persons.
With reference to your observation that in conducting consultations there should be no restriction on freedom of speech and opinion, this should be extended in the first place to parties and organizations which [Page 765] are assisting in carrying out the Moscow Decision. Furthermore, recently the parties and organizations of Southern Korea which support the Moscow Decision are being subjected on the part of the American authorities in Southern Korea to the severest restrictions and cruelest persecutions, which contradicts democratic principles and is entirely out of accord with the decision of the Moscow Conference. The premises of such parties and organizations are being seized by the police authorities; their leaders and members are being arrested; their press organs are being closed. The Soviet Government considers such a situation abnormal and inadmissible, excluding the possibility of the correct fulfillment of the decision of the Moscow Conference of the three Ministers on Korea, provided these persecutions of democratic organizations and individuals in Southern Korea do not immediately and completely cease.
The Soviet Government considers it necessary that the American Delegation in the Joint Commission receive appropriate instructions for the fulfillment of the agreement reached between the Governments of the USA and the USSR in April of this year, and does not object to your proposal that the Joint Commission report on the status of its work in order that each Government may immediately consider what steps could be usefully undertaken for the fulfillment of the objectives of the Moscow Decision.
The Soviet Delegation has been instructed in the above sense.
Copies of this letter are being sent by me simultaneously to the Governments of Great Britain and China.
Accept, Mr. Secretary of State, the assurances of my highest consideration. (Signed) V. Molotov”
Dept’s instructions re above following shortly. In meantime give matter no publicity.