894.42a/1–1446
The Acting Secretary of War ( Royall ) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: I have received the inclosed cable, dated 4 January 1946,47 from the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, requesting that an education mission of no less than eighteen nor more than twenty-one distinguished American educators be formed for the purpose of advising his Staff, the Japanese Education Ministry, and others on technical matters relating to the Occupation Education Program. He desires that the mission depart for Tokyo at the earliest possible date and remain there for an estimated period of thirty days.
As you probably know, State–War–Navy Coordinating Committee Paper 162/2, dated 8 January 1946, Subject: Reorientation of the Japanese, now in process for final approval, concludes that the long-range character of reorientation and reeducation of the Japanese is an appropriate responsibility of the Department of State and that [Page 111] the Department of State should immediately undertake the development of such a program to be implemented by SCAP. It is, therefore, considered that the recruitment and final selection of this mission is an appropriate responsibility of the Department of State.
It is requested that you form this mission from among the educators named or such substitutes as you may feel desirable, and that the collateral considerations of including Catholic and other sectarian advisors who are not considered in the cable be given weight in the formation of the mission. It would be highly desirable if the mission could be selected and depart not later than 15 February 1946. When selected, the War Department will provide all necessary transportation and expenses incident to the needs of the mission.48
Sincerely yours,