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

694.001/11–1351

Memorandum by Mr. Douglas W. Overton of the Office of Northeast Asian Affairs to the United States Representative on the Far Eastern Commission (Hamilton)¹

secret

[Washington,] November 13, 1951.

Subject: Ratification of the Japanese Peace Treaty

Responses have been received from all countries listed in Article 23 who were asked when ratification of the treaty could be expected. They can be tabulated as follows:

1. Those who will not initiate action until after Japanese ratification:

• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand

2. Those who wish to ratify coincident with or following United States ratification:

• Australia
• The Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Pakistan

3. Those whose ratifications are not contingent upon above factors, and date they expect to ratify:

• Ceylon—soon after November 20.
• France—late November.
• Indonesia—uncertain—see country comment below.
• Philippines—February 1952
• United Kingdom—before Christmas.
• Japan—not later than November 15.

The replies can also be summarized by country as follows:

Australia

Bill for Parliamentary consent will be prepared when it is known what United States and Japanese timetables for ratification are. Will not ratify before Japanese action and would wish its action to coincide with United States. (Canberra’s 199, September 23, Secret.²)

Canada

Expect as little delay as possible but only after Japanese ratification. (Ottawa’s 54, September 28, Confidential.²)

Ceylon

Ratification soon after November 20—date reopening House. (Colombo’s 205, September 27, Restricted.²)

France

Parliament reconvenes November 6. Procedural processes will probably delay ratification until late November. (Paris’ 1966, October 2, Restricted.²)

Indonesia

Ratification depends on PNI action who now “desire avoid Cabinet crisis”. If PNI would favor, Prime Minister would submit for early action. If PNI support doubtful, Government will wait for Japanese ratification, then conclude bilateral agreements on fisheries and reparations. Bilaterals and peace treaty would then be submitted for Parliamentary action simultaneously. (Djakarta’s 478, September 26, Unclassified; 491, September 28, Confidential; 499, September 29, Confidential; 505, October 1, Unclassified.³)

The Netherlands

Netherlands Parliament will not act ahead of United States Congress. (The Hague’s 322, September 25, Restricted.⁴)

New Zealand

Ratification expected after Japanese and United States action. (Wellington’s 105, October 2, Restricted.⁴)

Pakistan

Will ratify “earliest practical date”. (Karachi’s 354, October 2, Restricted.⁴) The Pakistan Foreign Minister has since indicated that Pakistan will not anticipate United States action but will act immediately thereafter. It is still undetermined whether ratification will be by Constituent Assembly or by Cabinet action. (Karachi’s 481, November 6, Secret.⁴)

Philippines

Expect ratification in February 1952. (Manila’s 1201, September 28, Restricted.⁴)

United Kingdom

Enabling legislation amounting to ratification will be passed before Christmas. (London’s 1609, October 3, Restricted.⁴)

Japan

Diet expected to approve peace and security treaties no later than November 15. (Tokyo’s 656, September 29, Restricted.⁴)

1. Mr. Hamilton was also Chairman of the Commission.
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