740.00119 Control (Korea)/8–2647: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State
secret
priority
priority
Seoul, August 26,
1947.
303. Zurc 1068. From Hodge, Brown and Jacobs. Reference Department’s 178, August 24.
[Page 769]- 1.
- American delegation will proceed to prepare a brief joint report.
- 2.
- American delegation willing to consult all applicant parties and organizations, all with membership of 10,000 or over provided the list specifically includes those applicant parties and organizations claimed by Soviet delegation to be members of the Anti-Trusteeship Committee or similar organizations, and to exclude only those applicant parties and organizations to be removed subsequently for specific cause by mutual agreement of the two delegations. Written questionnaires of applicant parties and organizations with membership under 10,000 submitted to Joint Commission should also be considered in lieu of oral consultation with exclusion only by mutual agreement of both delegations.
- American delegation has since July 2 several times offered the above proposal. Soviet delegation has consistently accepted such a list as a basis of consideration subject to arbitrary removal of parties and organizations claimed by them to be members of the Anti-Trusteeship Committee and further removals upon challenge of either delegation. Soviet position would assure majority to parties and organizations members of Democratic People’s Front (extreme left) which is their overall objective (see paragraphs 42 and 43, pages 24 and 25, report United States delegation, Joint Commission, 20 August 194781). The American delegation has therefore consistently rejected Soviet proposal for amendment.
- 3.
- Re arrests, see General Brown’s statement transmitted Seoul PolAd 301, August 25, and General Hodge Zgcg 1066, August 25 to Joint Chiefs Staff.82
- 4.
- Reference statement in Department’s telegram 178 “in meantime we are considering proceeding with implementation SWNCC 176/30 modified”. Note conclusions in paragraph 45, report United States delegation, Joint Commission, August 20, and uncompromising, untenable and intransigent attitude expressed in Molotov letter of 22 August. Recommend original plans be carried to final conclusion.
Jacobs