Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Far East and Australasia, Volume VI

740.00119 Control (Korea)/7–2748: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs)

secret
priority

Washington, July 27, 1948—7 p. m.

266. Following are Dept’s views concerning timing of arrival of new Chief of Mission (urtel 557, July 15¹):

1. Assuming formal inauguration of Govt will take place Aug 15, it is believed presence of new Chief of Mission in Seoul on that date would raise questions of precedence which would be likely to cause general embarrassment.

2. It would appear preferable to Dept that senior US rep on that occasion be Gen Hodge and that his replacement as such by new Chief of Mission take place only after Aug 15 ceremonies, which would seem to provide fitting juncture for Gen Hodge to consider his mission accomplished.

3. In order further to avoid possible embarrassment to Gen Hodge and confusion in minds of Koreans, it would appear advisable that interval between arrival of new Chief of Mission and replacement of Gen Hodge as ComGen be as brief as possible.

4. Presence of new Chief of Mission in Seoul at time of exchange of notes at tabs A and B between Rhee and ComGen would be apt to create additional confusion as to who is senior US rep.

5. Arrival of new Chief of Mission cannot very well take place before issuance by US Govt of statement outlined in Deptel 262 July 25, timing of which has not yet been determined.

6. On basis of foregoing considerations and subject to any further recommendations which you may have on subject, Dept believes new Chief of Mission should arrive Seoul shortly after Aug 15.²

Marshall

1. Not printed.
2. In telegram 606, July 30, from Seoul, Mr. Jacobs stated he had no further recommendations to make and he and General Hodge concurred in the proposal in paragraph 2 (740.00119 Control (Korea)/7–3048). Certain details were cleared up by telephone with Seoul on August 6.