740.00114 PW/6–2349
The Chargé in Japan (Huston) to the Secretary of State
No. 406
[Received July 1.]
Sir: With reference to this Mission’s despatch no. 403 of June 20, 1949,1 I have the honor to inform the Department that the Office of the Soviet Member, Allied Council for Japan, notified General Headquarters and the Japanese Government on June 20 that during the period June 25 to June 30 repatriation vessels can be sent to the ports of Maoka and Nahodka where ten thousand Japanese are scheduled for repatriation. The Soviet notification gave no information as to further repatriation after June 30. A copy of the Soviet notification is enclosed.1
On the evening of June 20 the Public Information Officer released a statement to the press by General Mac Arthur commenting on the [Page 784] notification received from the Office of the Soviet Member, a copy of which is enclosed.1
General MacArthur’s comment notes the delay in resuming repatriation as compared with previous years when the Soviet authorities lifted winter suspension on May 3 in 1948 and on April 3 in 1947. The comment also states that the Supreme Commander is prepared immediately to receive repatriates from any Asiatic ports the Soviet Government may designate and recalls the Supreme Commander’s previous offers to furnish shipping sufficient to accomplish repatriation at rates far in excess of the 50,000 monthly quota provided in the Soviet-SCAP Repatriation Agreement. Finally, the comment notes that the Soviet Government since June, 1947, has failed to meet the 50,000 monthly quota, and that as of May 31, 1949, repatriation has averaged only 30,570 repatriates monthly.
Respectfully yours,