Office of the Historian

740.00119 Control (Japan)/10–2045

The Secretary of State to the Australian Minister (Eggleston)
Washington, December 7, 1945.

Sir: I have the honor to refer to your note no. 743/45 [473/45] of October 20, 1945, containing a proposal regarding the use of British Commonwealth occupation forces in Japan and to my note of November 23, 1945, stating that the Government of the United States accepts in principle such participation.

The United States Government now wishes to propose certain general principles on which, if agreeable to the Australian Government, such participation may be based from a military standpoint. It is considered that the statement of these principles, which follows, should form an adequate basis on which the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers can initiate detailed discussions with representatives of the Australian Government in Tokyo. If during these conversations questions should arise which would indicate the need for further discussion on the political level, the points in question might be referred to Washington for consideration.

Statement of General Principles Regarding Participation of British Commonwealth Forces in Occupation of Japan45

1.
The ground elements will consist of a composite British Commonwealth land force of approximately four brigades with necessary supporting units and services; the exact composition of the force to be determined on the basis of deployment and employment ascertained as a result of discussions in Tokyo. This force will be integrated into the occupation forces under the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
2.
The participation of air forces is accepted in principle. The strength of the air component will be determined after conversations in Tokyo on the basis of the requirements of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
3.
The Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers will be free to locate and move the British Commonwealth forces within the Japanese Home Islands as he sees fit to accomplish the missions assigned him, with due regard to the problem of supply and maintenance, in so far as the operational situation permits.
4.
No area will be assigned the British Commonwealth forces as an exclusive area of control. All areas occupied by these forces will additionally be subordinate to the appropriate higher corps, army, or other commander.
5.
These forces will be withdrawn, entirely or in part, upon agreement between the United States and the Commonwealth of Australia, or at the expiration of six months after formal notification by either party in the event of no agreement.
6.
The manner of integration of ground, air and naval forces of the British Commonwealth in the occupation of Japan will be as agreed between the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and the commander of the British Commonwealth forces.
7.
British Commonwealth force commanders will be free to communicate with their governments. Other channels of communication will be as follows:
a.
For policy, from the Australian Government as representative of the British Commonwealth of Nations through the United States Government and United States Chiefs of Staff to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, and thence through the occupation force command organization. Appropriate representation will be accorded on the staff of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and intermediate echelons.
b.
For administration within the British forces, such as supply, from the force commanders to, under general coordination of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, any agency designated by the Commonwealth Governments.
c.
Details of supply administration and communications such as provision of port facilities and airfields, are matters for local arrangement between the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and the British Commonwealth force representatives.
8.
The Commonwealth Governments concerned will be responsible for supply and maintenance of their forces.
9.
Details as to timing of movements of the parts of the Commonwealth force to Japan and their debarkation will be arranged directly with the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers by the British Commonwealth representatives. The force or portions thereof will pass to command of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers on arrival at the port of debarkation. It is understood informally that the Australian Government wishes to begin movement of the brigade now at Morotai and a Royal Australian Air Force component about 15 December 1945.

I would appreciate an indication of the acceptance by your Government of the foregoing statement of principles in order that the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers may be authorized to initiate conversations with the British Commonwealth representatives in Tokyo.

Accept [etc.]

James F. Byrnes
  1. This statement of principles, approved by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was received with a memorandum of December 5 (not printed) from the Acting Chairman of the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee (Hickerson) (740.00119 Control(Japan)/12–545).↩