694.001/10–2351
Memorandum by the Deputy Director of the Office of Chinese Affairs (Perkins) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Rusk)
Subject: Prospects for Signature of Bilateral Peace Treaty between Japan and Chinese National Government
It was reported in Taipei’s No. 526, October 20,1 that Foreign Minister Yeh, in inquiring urgently whether Prime Minister Yoshida’s remarks concerning a Sino-Japanese treaty were correctly quoted in the press, reiterated his opinion that the Japanese intend to do nothing about a treaty with the Chinese National Government in the absence of active U.S. sponsorship.
Several disquieting reports on this subject have been received recently. According to Tokyo’s 831, October 23,2 Yoshida stated on October 16, in reply to an interpellation: “It is my firm conviction that we shall sooner or later conclude peace treaties with all Asiatic countries except China. In case China, internal unity is yet to be achieved and powers divided in opinion about which two governments to recognize. This is reason why China not invited to conference. For time being we have to wait and see development of things among powers and in China, believing that chance will naturally offer itself to conclude a peace treaty with China”. Yoshida stated on October 17, in reply to an interpellation (according to the same Tokyo telegram): “We desire conclude peace treaty with China and Soviet Union respectively at earliest possible date, but since each has own policy while we have adopted anti-Communist policy, I wonder how we can immediately negotiate peace treaty with them. We will wait and watch course events.” (Certain newspaper accounts have contained reports of Yoshida’s remarks which conflict with this account, which is based on translations prepared by the Diet.)
It will be recalled that certain members of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Japanese Diet, in recent talks with officers of the Department, presented arguments why Japan should not recognize the National Government and indicated that a major element bearing [Page 1390] upon Japan’s decision whether to conclude a treaty with the National Government is its prospects of regaining power on the mainland.3
It is CA’s opinion that the early conclusion of a Japanese treaty with the Chinese Government is highly desirable. As CA has pointed out earlier, CA feels that, quite apart from relations between this Government and the Chinese Government, a treaty between the latter and Japan would be a source of friction between Peiping and Tokyo and would tend to prevent an improvement of relations between an independent Japan and Communist China, a rapprochement highly dangerous for the United States position in the Far East. In view of the various indications cited above, however, it is CA’s opinion that it is not safe to assume that Japan intends to conclude a peace treaty with the Chinese National Government.
Recommendation: It is recommended that the attached draft telegram requesting USPolAd to ask Yoshida directly what Japan’s intentions are in regard to the early conclusion of a peace treaty with the Chinese National Government be approved.4
- Not printed (693.949/10–2051).↩
- Not printed (694.001/10–2351).↩
- A memorandum by W. C. Sherman of a talk held between these Diet members and Mr. Stuart in Washington on October 8 is not printed (698.94/10–851).↩
- In telegram 729 to Tokyo, November 3, not printed, the Department made inquiry along the lines set forth above (693.94/11–351).↩