740.00119 FEAC/10–145

The Secretary of State to the Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs ( Molotov ), in London

Dear Mr. Molotov: On several occasions you and I have discussed your suggestion that the Council of Foreign Ministers consider a proposal to establish a Control Council in Japan. I have advised you that I was not prepared to take any action on such a request; that the subject was not among the subjects submitted by the heads of governments to the Council for consideration at this meeting; that I had no instructions from the President and no information as to the views of our military commanders in control of the situation in Japan; and, in the absence of such instructions and information, I could not act at this meeting.

I have, however, advised you that my inability to act upon the proposal at this meeting does not mean that the United States Government was opposed to the proposal or that I was opposed to it. I have assured you that immediately upon my return to Washington I will advise the President of your views and that I will communicate with you.

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In military and non-military matters in Japan the United States Government is anxious to cooperate with its allies and consult together about policies.

On August 22 I submitted to the Governments of the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and China a proposal to establish a Far Eastern Advisory Commission. I proposed the additional participation of the Governments of France, the Philippine Islands, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands. Your Government and the Government of China promptly agreed to the proposal, but the Commission has not been established because the Government of the United Kingdom had not acted upon the proposal.

I am writing you to state that today I have been advised that the Government of the United Kingdom has agreed to the proposal. The Foreign Minister writes that his understanding is that it is within the power of the Commission to determine whether the Commission shall continue to meet in Washington or Tokyo. I have written the Foreign Minister of Great Britain that his understanding is correct and that our representative on the Commission will be instructed to vote to meet in Tokyo. Your Government and the Government of China will be furnished copies of the correspondence. I hope that your representative on the Commission will also be instructed to vote that meetings be held in Tokyo.

I also request that as promptly as possible your Government name its representative on the Far Eastern Commission so that it can organize and start its work.

Under the terms of reference the Commission is asked to make recommendations—

1.
On the formulation of policies, principles and standards by which the fulfillment by Japan of its obligations under the Instrument of Surrender may be determined;
2.
On the steps necessary and on the machinery required to ensure the strict compliance by Japan with provisions of the Instrument of Surrender;
3.
On such other matters as may be assigned to it by agreement of the participating governments.

Upon my return to Washington I shall ask the President when he appoints a representative on the Commission to request him to urge the Commission to promptly consider the question as to whether a Control Council should be established and, if so, the powers to be vested in such Council.

I shall also present to the President the views you have expressed as to Japanese matters.

Sincerely yours,

James F. Byrnes