740.00119 FEAC/9–2845

The British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Bevin) to the Secretary of State, in London

Dear Mr. Byrnes: His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom have been giving further consideration to the proposal made by the United States Government on August 22nd for setting up a Far Eastern Commission.7

His Majesty’s Government are now prepared to agree that the proposed Commission should be called together in Washington at the earliest practicable date.

His Majesty’s Government agree that the Commission should be composed of representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Soviet Russia, France, the Philippine Islands, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands as proposed by the United States Government, but they must request that India shall also be included and a representative of India invited to attend the opening meeting.

It is the understanding of His Majesty’s Government that it shall be within the power of the Commission to determine whether it shall continue to meet in Washington or in Tokyo.

Yours sincerely,

Ernest Bevin
  1. See telegram 7106, August 21, 8 p.m., to London, p. 683.