501.BB Korea/12–2347: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Acting Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon)
us urgent
297. As discussion with members of Secretariat of UN Commission which led to drafting of para 4 Deptel 2814 revealed clearly strong feeling that no formal action should be taken to put into effect Skila law or any part thereof prior to arrival and first meeting of the Commission in Seoul, felt here that registration of voters under executive order suggested urtel 525, Dec 22 is not desirable. As members of Commission and Secretariat are scheduled to arrive Seoul about Jan 7 the intervening delay (about 2 weeks) seems too short to make any material difference in the situation.
While realized here unfortunate repercussions which might ensue if following information came to attention of those Korean factions urging haste in holding of elections, it may be added for your secret information and that of CG USAFIK that Dr. Victor Hoo has stated that in his opinion if Commission found after its arrival that insufficient time remained between date decision is reached on election procedure and date of Mar 31 to prepare for an election, it would still be possible within the terms of the Resolution to postpone the election for a month or such reasonable time as might appear necessary.
Jacobs agrees with foregoing and wishes to add that he has talked with Oliver who stated that he had written Dr. Rhee afterwards urging him to cooperate fully with UN Commission and transmitted with that letter text of address of welcome which Rhee might wish to deliver on Commission’s arrival.