Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume II

895.01/7–2145: Telegram

No. 735
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State

restricted

Babelsberg, July 21, 1945.

Victory 167. 1. The President has received from Syngman Rhee a telegram¹ requesting Churchill, Stalin and the President to issue a joint statement repudiating any secret agreement that might affect the political, administrative and territorial integrity of Korea, and recognizing “The Provisional Government of Korea”. The telegram requests opportunity for the “Provisional Government” to collaborate in military operations against Japan and gives undertaking to hold national election not later than one year after return to Korea.

2. Please make acknowledgment to Rhee in such informal manner and in such terms as you may consider appropriate.²

Byrnes

1. Not printed.
2. The Acting Secretary of State acknowledged the receipt of Rhee’s telegram on July 24 (file No. 895.01/7–2145).