740.00119 Control (Korea)/11–1745: Telegram
The Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 23—3:15 p.m.]
143. Our 101, November 8th. I have just seen K–16, Preliminary, August 31, “Transfer of Title to Korea”.42
Let me repeat oral recommendation made before leaving Dept that final directives contain exact language for Emperor’s declaration renouncing rights and titles of Japan in Korea.
We feel Emperor should be required to use language specifically provided him in order to preclude possibility that he emulate his surrender announcement and employ in Korea declaration any face-saving words or terminology indicating that renunciation of Japanese sovereignty over Korea is a “gracious act” on part of His Majesty arising out of latter’s “benevolent and long standing desire that the Korean people be given the benefits of independence”, et cetera.
- Not printed. This report, prepared by Quincy Wright of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs, contained the following conclusions: “1. The Supreme Commander for the Allied powers should as soon as possible direct the Emperor of Japan to authorize a declaration renouncing the rights and titles of Japan in Korea in favor of the United States, China, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. 2. Immediately thereafter, the United States, China, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union should issue a joint declaration recognizing the independence of Korea subject to the condition that the exercise of the powers of independent government are suspended during a preparatory period in which Korea will be governed through a trusteeship to be established by them under the Charter of the United Nations. 3. If the Emperor of Japan fails within a reasonable time to make the declaration proposed in paragraph 1 above, the Allied powers should issue the joint declaration as proposed in paragraph 2 above.” (Records of the Executive Secretariat, Lot 52–D478, K Documents 1–16)↩