693.94/1–1452: Telegram

No. 472
The Secretary of State to the Office of the United States Political Adviser to SCAP (Sebald)1

secret
niact
emergency

Topad 1955. Reur 1464, Jan 14.2 Dept agreeable release Yoshida letter noon Jan 16 Tokyo time. Wording penultimate sentence, third para Yoshida letter closely corresponds with formula suggested by Chi FonMin on Oct 24 and Dept therefore believes it acceptable Chi Nat Govt. Dept reluctant request at this time from Chi Nats specific assurance on this point as this wld give Chi bargaining opportunity which might result in complications and considerable delay as to other aspects where differences may arise which will require Jap-Chi negotiations. FYI Chi note, Oct 24,3 handed to US Chargé in Taipei4 by Chi FonMin5 proposed following formula to be recorded in agreed minutes at time treaty signed.

“It is mutually understood that the present treaty shall be applicable to all territories which are now and may hereafter be under the actual control of either high contracting party.”

On Sept 27, Chi Nats had suggested that upon exchange of ratifications of bilateral peace treaty by Govts of Republic of Chi and Japan fol statement wld be recorded in agreed minutes:

“Present treaty shall, in respect of Republic of Chi, be applicable in all territories which are now, and which may hereafter be, under control of Govt of Republic Chi.”6

Pls endeavor obtain Yoshida’s agreement to publication Jan 16 without further discussion Chi. Senate has reassembled and there [Page 1085] is urgent need of clarification. There can be no assurance that “confidential basis” would avoid leakage to press.7

Acheson
  1. Drafted by Allison.
  2. Infra. Because of the difference in time zones, telegram 1464 was received in Washington at 5:42 a.m. EST, Jan. 14.
  3. For a summary of this note, see telegram 546 from Taipei, Oct. 25, 1951, Foreign Relations, 1951, vol. vi, Part 1, p. 1384.
  4. Karl L. Rankin.
  5. George K.C. Yeh.
  6. For text of the Chinese memorandum handed to Chargé Rankin on Sept. 26, 1951, see telegram 419 from Taipei, Sept. 27, 1951, Foreign Relations, 1951, vol. vi, Part 1, p. 1362.
  7. The text of Topad 1957 to Tokyo, sent later on Jan. 14 and marked “niact emergency” and “Sebald from Dulles”; reads: “Supplementing last para Deptel 1955 Jan. 14 it would be acceptable to us to have Yoshida letter first become known here through ‘in confidence’ showing to Senate Foreign Relations Committee if that is Yoshida’s preference.” This telegram was drafted by Dulles. (693.94/1–1452)

    In Topad 1469 from Tokyo, Jan. 15, Sebald stated: “In view considerations reftel [telegram 1955] Yoshida has agreed release ltr to press at noon Jan 16 Tokyo time without further discussion Chinese.” (693.94/1–1552)

    In Topad 1471 from Tokyo, also Jan. 15, marked “For Dulles”, Sebald stated, with reference to telegram 1957: “Prefer standing on agreement now reached (mytel 1469) and hope ‘in Confidence’ method will not be used to release letter.” (693.94/1–1552)