Records of the Office of the Political Adviser in Japan, Lot 57–F103, 800 Korea–Soviet: Telegram
The Chief of Staff ( Marshall ) to General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, at Tokyo
WX 71814. Now before the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee is a proposal that an international trusteeship should be set up for Korea at the earliest practicable date. The committee has likewise recognized that the present line dividing Korea between United States and Russian Forces is highly artificial, and that for many reasons a single administration for the whole of Korea would be preferable. The proposal before the committee concludes that present liaison on a military level should be strengthened and expanded, with such assistance as may be necessary through governmental negotiations, to the end that measures may be taken at once to minimize as far as possible the disadvantages of this artificial dividing line, and to foster greater centralization in the administration of the country. [Page 1068] Accordingly, the proposal contemplates that the United States Occupation Commander should seek, through such strengthened and expanded liaison, to ensure the greatest possible uniformity of administrative practice in the two zones, United States and Russian. It is also concluded that the administrative structure in southern Korea should be so arranged that it can be readily adapted to extension through the whole of Korea in agreement with the Russians.
Your comments on the foregoing are requested at an early date to assist in consideration of the proposal, particularly as concerns the degree to which military liaison on the ground can be expected to succeed in achieving the objectives set forth above. Request information as to what coordination is now being attempted with Soviet Commanders in Korea, how successful these attempts have been, the prospects for the future, and specific negotiations you recommend be undertaken on a governmental level.
State Department has been consulted in preparing this message and would appreciate inclusion of views of Mr. Atcheson90 in your answer.
For your information, although there is hope that trusteeship negotiations may begin by early 1946, it may well be a year before an effective quadripartite trusteeship can take over supervision of Korea from the Military Government. This estimate will not be divulged to the Russians.
- George Atcheson, Jr., Acting Political Adviser in Japan.↩