Records of the Office of the Political Adviser in Japan, Lot 57–F103, 800 Korea: Telegram
The Chief of Staff (Eisenhower) to General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, at Tokyo
WX 90802. Reference your CA 56471.69 It is realized here that [Page 1155] Koreans have protested against trusteeship. It is believed however that if the Korean section of the Moscow Communiqué is explained to them by all media of information that the majority will be satisfied with trusteeship under the terms envisaged by the Moscow agreement. It is recommended that the following points, all covered by the Communiqué, be emphasized and elaborated upon to the Koreans:
- a.
- Provision is made for steps to integrate promptly the two zones.
- b.
- Provision is made for the early establishment of a democratic provisional government which shall be created by a joint United States-Soviet Commission in consultation with the Korean democratic groups.
- c.
- The trusteeship terms will be framed by the Joint Commission in consultation with the Korean Provisional Government.
- d.
- The period of trusteeship will be terminated within 5 years at the latest, with a clear promise of complete independence at the time of termination of the trusteeship. State Department intends to emphasize these points in the Korean program broadcast from San Francisco. It is suggested that these programs be broadcast to Koreans from local Korean station. Exact schedule of broadcasts will be sent you as soon as available.
State Department propaganda experts recommend emphasis of the four points listed above rather than attempting to voluntarily explain or justify trusteeship. They believe, however, that if United States Military Government personnel should be questioned about the reasons for trusteeship by responsible Koreans that they should be prepared to give full and complete answers. It is recommended that such answers point out that Allied Forces are present to eradicate all the evil vestiges of Jap control, and to protect and advise the Korean people during the period in which a government is being created. This period must naturally be protracted since the Japanese deliberately kept the Koreans from highly specialized, administrative and technical posts, for which Korean personnel must now be trained.
It is believed that there will be favorable comment in the United States with respect to the Korean terms of the Moscow Communiqué and these will be passed to you for distribution by your public relations and information services.70
- An explanatory marginal note in this telegram quoted CA 56471 as follows: “Moscow Conference report indicating establishment of trusteeship for Korea for 5–year period has thrown the people here into deep despair. During past few weeks Koreans have been crystalizing a belief they are going to have to fight physically for their independence. News of the trusteeship deepens that conviction. Definite passive resistance to our occupation if not violent disorders may be expected. It is probable that a general strike will initiate action.”↩
- In telegram 311235 I, December 31, to General MacArthur, General Hodge stated: “Full scale explanations and interpretations along the lines indicated in urad cited above [WX 90802] were started immediately upon receipt of official communiqué, but thus far have been of little avail. Any mention of the word ‘trusteeship’ immediately precludes any normal process of reasoning on the part of the Koreans. I do not propose to attempt further to explain the word at this time in any public statement, since any and all references to trusteeship only cause greater excitement.” (Records of the Office of the Political Adviser in Japan, Lot 57–F103, 800 Korea)↩