740.00119 Control(Japan)/10–2745:
Telegram
The Secretary of
State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union
(Harriman)
Washington, October 27, 1945—6 p.m.
2234. Reference your 3671, October 26, 9 p.m. After consultation
with the President the following suggestion concerning control
machinery for Japan has been sent on the 25th to General
MacArthur in Tokyo. We have not yet had General MacArthur’s
comments and for this reason you should await further
instructions before presenting this proposal to the Soviet
Government. These further instructions will also tell you
whether you should present them in person to Generalissimo
Stalin.
The following is the proposal concerning control machinery for
Japan:
- “1. There shall be established an Allied Military
Council under the Chairmanship of the Supreme
Commander of the Allied Powers (or
[Page 798]
his Deputy) for the
purpose of consulting with and advising the Supreme
Commander in regard to the implementation of the
terms of surrender and occupation for Japan and of
directives supplementary thereto.
- “2. The membership of the Allied Military Council
shall consist of the Supreme Commander (or his
Deputy), who shall be Chairman and U.S. member; USSR
member; Chinese member; and a British Commonwealth
of Nations member.
- “3. The Supreme Commander shall issue all orders
for the implementation of the surrender terms and
occupation of Japan and directives supplementary
thereto. He will consult and advise with the Council
upon orders involving questions of principle in
advance of their issuance, the exigencies of the
situation permitting. His decision upon all matters
shall be controlling. In all cases action will be
carried out under and through the Supreme Commander
for the Allied Powers who is the sole executive
authority for the Allied Powers within the area of
his command.”
Section 2 of this telegram84 will contain the United States position in regard to the
Far Eastern Advisory Commission which you should also regard as
for your information only until receipt of further instructions
referred to above.
