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

694.001/7–3151: Telegram

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

secret
priority

Tokyo, July 31, 1951—7 p. m.

Topad 219. For Dulles. Re changes proposed bilateral security treaty. Fol are official Japanese “observations” dated July 31:

Begin text. 1. All suggested changes are agreeable to Japanese Govt.

2. Fol changes in wording suggested for sake uniformity.

a) Words “collective self-defense arrangements” in third para of preamble reading “treaty of peace recognizes that Japan as sovereign nation has right to enter into collective self-defense arrangements and …” shld read “collective security arrangements,” because Article 5(c) of peace treaty states “allied powers for their part recognize … that Japan may voluntarily enter into collective security arrangements”.

b) In fourth para of preamble reading “United States, which is one of the Allied powers,” underlined part will no more be necessary because in Article 5(c) of peace treaty words “participated in by one or more of the Allied powers” have been deleted.

c) In Article 3, “the stationing of armed forces of the United States …” may better read “the disposition of …” because in Article 1 word “station” was changed to “dispose.”

3. Japanese Govt repeats its request to have a ratification clause added as Article 5 and understands that agreements will be done both in English and Japanese languages.

4. With regard to timing of publicity, its simultaneous release with final peace treaty draft (13 August) is deemed preferable for Japanese Govt from its internal political considerations. End text.¹

Sebald

1. In telegram 158, to Tokyo, July 31, drafted by Mr. Allison, the Department replied in part that all the changes suggested by the Japanese had been approved by the Departments of State and Defense. (Article 5 of the draft of July 31, infra, was quoted entirely.) Regarding publication, both Departments wished to postpone it “until more nearly time of signature. We are especially concerned with effect early pub might have on decision by certain nations to come to San Francisco, i.e., India.” (694.001/7–3151)

   In a memorandum for Mr. Acheson of August 2, Ambassador Dulles said in part:

   “We have now agreed with the Department of Defense on the draft Bilateral Security Treaty, and our draft has also been accepted by the Japanese Government. The Joint Chiefs of Staff receded somewhat from their extreme position and I feel reasonably satisfied with the result.

   “It is, however, agreed between Defense and ourselves that we should defer as long as possible publication of the text as it would undoubtedly be used by unfriendly elements to attack the peace settlement as in essence giving the United States the right to use Japan as a military base to carry an offensive threat to Russia and Communist China.” (Lot 54 D 423)