740.00119 Control(Japan)/10–3045: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 30—7:10 p.m.]
3707. This evening I presented to Molotov our proposal for Allied Military Council for Japan (reDepts 2234, October 27) and revised terms of reference for Far Eastern Commission (reDepts 2235, October 27) in accordance with instructions contained in Dept’s 2238, October 29, 6 p.m. (Incidentally, this last telegram was not classified urgent and therefore took over 24 hours in transmission. If it had been so classified it would undoubtedly have reached me in time to present these matters to Molotov when I saw him last evening, Monday.)
I explained to Molotov that we were informing British and Chinese of proposal for Military Council and were submitting today to Far Eastern Commission the revisions of terms of reference and I emphasized that Far Eastern Commission would adjourn for 1 week and expressed the earnest hope that Soviet Govt would agree to the Military Council promptly and that they would participate in first business session of Far Eastern Commission next week.
Molotov asked some questions for clarification, including the respective responsibilities of the two bodies, but did not read the notes. He said that he wished to have the opportunity to study them, consult his Govt and that he would ask me to call on him tomorrow or the next day to discuss them.
I wish to express my thanks for Dept’s 2243, October 29, 8 p.m. and the helpful information therein.