Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI, Part 1

694.001/7–1651: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Political Adviser to SCAP (Sebald)¹

secret
priority

Washington, July 16, 1951—7 p. m.

Topad 75. Dulles informed Ital Chargé² Jul 10 in conversation re Italy’s participation in Jap Peace Treaty we do not deem it appropriate for former Axis partner to be put in position of victor over another Axis partner. Pointed out that in our opinion Japan wld desire conclude mutually satis treaty with Italy generally along same lines as multilateral treaty and said we wld consider what steps wld be most appropriate bring about desired result.

Dening³ today informs us UK FonOff concurs these observations to Itals and further feels it is important to our objectives in Italy that US and UK act promptly to dispel public resentment at Ital exclusion from Jap settlement so that Ital Govt will not be pushed into strong public position in conflict with ours. FonOff suggests US and UK govts inform Ital Govt they are prepared extend their good offices for negot mutually satis Ital–Jap bilateral peace settlement.

Dulles indicated importance we attach to avoiding antagonizing Jap public by putting Italy in role of victor, for essentially same reasons it is important avoid antagonizing Ital public. Dening was also informed we concur in FonOff estimate importance of prompt action to relations with Italy, and subj your comments inclined agree with FonOff we shld suggest or offer good offices. Also pointed out that for maximum effect in Italy offer shld be made and released for pub prior Jul 20 when invitations will be issued San Francisco Conf. May be desirable include in offer and public announcement specific ref to inclusion in Italo-Jap settlement of provision for satis Ital claims re property treated by Japan as enemy property after Ital Armistice 1943.⁴

Request your comments urgently.

Acheson

1. Telegram drafted by Joseph N. Greene, Jr., of the Office of Western European Affairs.
2. Presumably Mario Luciolli.
3. Sir Esler was in Washington July 16–20 for consultations regarding the multilateral peace treaty with Japan.

4. In telegram 413, to London, July 18, drafted by Mr. Greene and Mr. Dulles, the Department stated in part it was informing the Italian Chargé the United States was prepared, in cooperation with the United Kingdom, to extend its good offices for the negotiation of a Treaty of Peace between Italy and Japan which would be in harmony with the draft multilateral treaty and which would provide a mutually satisfactory settlement of property and other questions which had arisen out of the war in the Far East. (694.001/7–1851) Documents in file 694.001 for 1951 indicate that France also became associated with the offer of good offices.

   In telegram 126, to Tokyo, July 26, drafted by Mr. Greene, the Department reported it had learned informally that Italy wished either to sign the multilateral treaty or to terminate the war in an exchange of notes with Japan (of which the text would be previously agreed with Washington), leaving specific questions for later negotiation but explicitly stating that on all outstanding questions the Japanese Government would apply the same provisions specified in the multilateral treaty. (694.001/7–2651) The latter approach materialized; for further documentation, see telegram 571, from Tokyo, September 17, p. 1351.