Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Far East, China, Volume VII

740.0011 Pacific War/5–1545

Memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Navy (Forrestal)^30b

[Washington,] May 12, 1945.

In order to determine the policy of the United States Government in the Far East in connection with the political effects of the expected Soviet entry into the Pacific war and the relationship of the Yalta Agreement on this subject, I would appreciate receiving from you the views of the Navy Department on the following questions:

1. Is the entry of the Soviet Union into the Pacific war at the earliest possible moment of such vital interest to the United States as to preclude any attempt by the United States Government to obtain Soviet agreement to certain desirable political objectives in the Far East prior to such entry?

2. Should the Yalta decision in regard to Soviet political desires in the Far East be reconsidered or carried into effect in whole or in part?

3. Should a Soviet demand, if made, for participation in the military occupation of the Japanese home islands be granted or would such occupation adversely affect our long term policy for the future treatment of Japan?

In the opinion of the Department of State it would be desirable politically to obtain from the Soviet Government the following commitments and clarifications regarding the Far East prior to any implementation on our part of the Yalta Agreement:

1. The Soviet Government should agree to use its influence with the Chinese Communists to assist this Government in its endeavors to bring about the unification of China under the National Government headed by Chiang Kai Shek. The achievement of Chinese unity on the basis considered most desirable by the United States Government should be agreed to by the Soviet Union before the United States Government should make any approach to the Chinese Government on the basis of the Yalta Agreement. The difficulties in regard to Sinkiang should be settled by amicable agreement between the Soviet and Chinese Governments.

2. Unequivocal adherence of the Soviet Government to the Cairo Declaration³¹ regarding the return of Manchuria to Chinese sovereignty and the future status of Korea.

3. Definite agreement of the Soviet Government that immediately Korea is liberated, whether before final capitulation of Japan or after, it be placed under the trusteeship of the United States, Great Britain, China, and the Soviet Union. This agreement should make clear that the four trustees are to be the sole authority for the selection of a temporary Korean Government.

4. Before giving final approval to the annexation by the Soviet Union of the Kurile Islands it might be desirable to receive from the Soviet Government emergency landing rights for commercial planes on certain of these islands.

[

Joseph C. Grew

]

1. Also sent to the Secretary of War (Stimson).
31. Issued December 1, 1943, by the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and China; for text, see Foreign Relations, The Conferences at Cairo and Tehran, 1943, p. 448.