740.00115 PW/10–2245
The Secretary of War (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: Reference is made to your letters dated 21 September and 3 October 1945,29 SWP 740.00115 PW/9–545 and SWP 740.00115 PW/9–2245, and to my interim reply of 15 October 1945,30 concerning the general subject of the repatriation of Japanese nationals held in the United States and Canada.
The War Department has now received General MacArthur’s concurrence in the immediate return to Japan of the group of approximately 160 Japanese nationals now held at Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania, and the subsequent return of all Japanese nationals held by the United States and Canadian Governments, whom it is desired to repatriate, subject only to the availability of shipping space. General MacArthur further states that the local situation in Japan, so far as concerns receiving these repatriates, can be accommodated to any decision reached in Washington as to the actual timing of their return.
The operating responsibility in the War Department in this matter has been assigned to The Provost Marshal General,31 and it is accordingly suggested that the interested officials in your Department communicate directly with this officer in order to make the necessary arrangements for the actual movement of these individuals.
Sincerely yours,