740.00119 Control (Japan)/12–2745

Memorandum by the War Department to the Department of State

Memorandum for the Liaison Section, OPD:

Subject: Status of Neutral Diplomatic Missions in Japan

1.
It is requested that you obtain from the State Department information on the basis of which early reply might be made to General MacArthur’s radio Cax 52301 (CM–IN 20671).6 It is clear that General MacArthur has full authority to issue whatever instructions may be necessary; what he requires is guidance as to the proper instructions.
2.
In order that General MacArthur may be given the clearest possible advice in this matter, it would seem necessary to include specific answers to the following questions:
a.
What is the policy of the U.S. with reference to relations between neutral diplomatic missions in Japan and the Japanese Foreign Office and other Japanese Government offices?
b.
Are special instructions to the Japanese Government or, particularly, to neutral diplomatic missions in Japan required to give effect to such U.S. policy?
c.
Does the U.S. have any political objections to action by General MacArthur to require neutral diplomatic missions in Japan to use American rather than Japanese communication channels for diplomatic communications?
John S. Carey

For
G. A. Lincoln

Brigadier General, GSC
Chief, Strategy & Policy Gp, OPD
  1. September 25, p. 722.