740.00119 Control(Japan)/11–545: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 6—3 a.m.]
3775. Reour 3757, November 4. Molotov requested me to call this evening. He handed me documents in Russian language containing Soviet Govt’s proposed amendments to and comments on the suggestions concerning control machinery for Japan and revision of original Terms of Reference for Far Eastern Commission. These follow herewith in paraphrased translation except when otherwise indicated:
Section I. Amendments to proposals of US Govt re control machinery for Japan.
It is considered necessary by the Soviet Govt to make following amendments to US Govt proposals on machinery of control for Japan.
1. In paragraph 1 instead of title “Allied Military Council” to say “Allied Control Council” or “Allied Control Commission”.
Following consideration dictates this amendment. Basic character of work of control machinery should be expressed in title itself. Title “Allied Military Council” limits functions of the control body for Japan solely to military questions, whereas this body will deal with administrative, economic, cultural and political questions as well as military. Title “Allied Military Council” does not take into consideration this circumstance.
2. In paragraph 1 in addition to changing title of council, in place of words “for the purpose of consulting with and advising the Commander in Chief regarding implementation of surrender terms and occupation and control over Japan” insert the following: (text of Soviet amendment included in paragraph 1 of immediately following telegram6).
This amendment is evoked by the following considerations.
After the inclusion in paragraph 1 of the American draft of the word “control” the meaning of the phrase “and the control of Japan” remains incomprehensible. This obscurity must be removed by indicating that the Allied Control Council (Allied Control Commission) is created for purposes of control over the fulfillment of the terms of Japanese surrender as is stated in proposed amendment.
3. Following phrase should be added to point 2: (see paragraph 2 our immediately following telegram).
4. In paragraph 3, in place of words “he will consult …7 shall be controlling” to state as follows: (see paragraph 3 our immediately following telegram).
Purpose of this amendment is to clarify cases when disagreements arise in Council between any member of Council and Supreme Commander on questions of principle. Proceeding from the right of every member of Council to appeal in such cases to his own Govt, the present amendment is proposed, having in view that such disagreements should [Page 829] be settled by agreement between Govts or in the Far Eastern Commission; the decision of Supreme Commander being withheld until agreement on these questions is reached.
Section II. Amendment to US proposals re Far Eastern Commission.
Soviet Govt deems necessary following amendments to US proposal:
1. In section I, to enumerate countries participating in FEC; to wit: USSR, USA, British Commonwealth of Nations, China, Australia, Philippines, New Zealand, Canada, Holland, France (in reply to my inquiry Molotov stated that India should be excluded).
2. Section II–A (1) to read as follows: (see paragraph 4 immediately following telegram).
This clause was set forth in US proposal of August 228 in this wording. Wording of this clause is more exact than wording of draft of October 30.9 Furthermore it does not contain vague phrase “and between the participating govts”.
3. Section II–C to be redrafted as follows: (see paragraph 5 immediately following telegram). Remaining portion of text of this clause is to be eliminated.
Proposed amendment is explained by necessity of referring to newly organized Control Council for Japan in statutes of FEC.
With respect to final part of this clause, this part should be considered as nullified (“having fallen away”) in connection with fact that American Govt has withdrawn from this wording by having proposed to replace it with a new draft, as stated in Ambassador Harriman’s letter of November 3 (letter referred to does not propose but sets forth as possible alternate, if so desired by Russians, new reading of paragraph II–C as explained in paragraph 6 of your 2272, November 2).
New American amendment is superfluous since it has to do with obligations of Supreme Commander and does not refer to functions of FEC.
4. In section III, paragraph 1 in place of words “based on policy decisions of the Commission” to state “in accordance with the decisions of the Commission”. Last sentence of this clause is to be eliminated since in statutes of the FEC there is no necessity of dealing with responsibilities of Supreme Commander.
5. Section III, paragraph 2 to be eliminated. Elimination of this clause is explained by fact that this question is dealt with in proposals on control machinery for Japan (paragraph 3).
6. In section V, paragraph 2 in place of words “including the representatives of three of the following powers” to say “including the representatives of the four following powers, US, UK, USSR and China”. This amendment is necessary to secure unanimity of four Allies: US, UK, USSR and China.
7. In section VI, first and second paragraphs should be eliminated and replaced by following words “Washington shall be the permanent headquarters of the FEC”.
8. In section VII, in place of words “including the representatives of three of the following powers” to state “including the representatives of the four following powers, US, UK, USSR and China”.
Comment: After some discussion in which I restated our position on some of the points contained in these documents, I said I would, in accordance with Molotov’s request, immediately forward the Soviet proposals and comments to my Govt. I will send you my observations in a subsequent message.10