Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The British Commonwealth, The Far East, Volume VI

740.00119 Council/10–1945: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State

London, October 19, 1945—1 p.m.
[Received October 19—11:50 a.m.]

10952. Delsec 130. From Dunn. Reference telegram from the Secretary to Acheson, Embassy’s 10185, Oct. 1, 3 p.m. Mr. Bevin asked Mr. Sterndale Bennett⁵⁶ of the Foreign Office to see me this morning to say that Mr. Bevin was somewhat disturbed at the press reports of the publication of the original text of the terms of reference of the Far Eastern Commission and reports he had received from Sansom that indicated there might be some hesitancy on the part of the United States to support the proposed British revision of the original terms of reference. Mr. Bevin asked that Mr. Sterndale Bennett and I review the discussions he and I had undertaken at the instance of the Secretary and Mr. Bevin and to recall to the Dept the results of these discussions on the basis of which the British Govt had accepted the United States proposal of August 22 for the establishment of a Far Eastern Commission.

Mr. Sterndale Bennett read me the telegram Mr. Bevin sent to Lord Halifax,⁵⁷ Foreign Office No. 9856, which outlined the basis upon which British Govt accepted the proposed Far Eastern Commission. From my recollection of the discussions between the Secretary and myself and Mr. Bevin and Mr. Sterndale Bennett that telegram correctly stated the understandings arrived at at that time.

I think it will be recalled that Mr. Bevin was having considerable difficulty persuading the British Cabinet to authorize acceptance of the United States proposal of August 22 without stating certain conditions which would have required our taking up the matter anew with at least the Soviet and Chinese Govts. As we were most anxious not to reopen the question with other Govts, the Secretary finally convinced Mr. Bevin of the advisability of accepting the original terms of reference on the understanding that the British suggested revision of the terms of reference as stated in the Embassy’s telegram above referred to would be acceptable to us⁵⁸ if agreeable to the other members of the Commission.

Mr. Bevin had Mr. Sterndale Bennett state to me that he, Mr. Bevin, would be in a position of considerable embarrassment if the terms of reference were not in fact revised at least to the extent suggested in his proposed revision.

My own recollection is that the Secretary at least gave Mr. Bevin to understand that in lieu of the British putting conditions on their acceptance of the original proposal, the US would go along with the British proposed revisions.

For my own part I believe it would be well to revise the original terms at least as far as called for in the proposed British revision as we would then have a better case for countering the Soviet demand for some machinery for dealing with the control of Japan other than a purely advisory body, particularly as the British revision does not provide for the exercise of a veto power in the Commission by any one member nation. [Dunn.]

Gallman

56. Head of the Far Eastern Department, British Foreign Office.
57. British Ambassador in the United States.
58. For explanation by the Secretary of State that he had not agreed to the British revision, see first paragraph of his message to the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Bevin) quoted in telegram 9321, October 22, 8 p.m., to London, p. 774.