740.00119 Control (Japan)/4–1546
Memorandum by the Director of the Office of Far
Eastern Affairs (Vincent) to the Secretary of State
[Washington,] April 20, 1946.
Attached is a draft of General McCoy’s proposed reply to General
MacArthur which I received this afternoon. The pencil changes are
mine.74 I
think the draft is all right, with or without the changes, except for
those I have made in the first paragraph which I believe should stand,
particularly my substitution of “position” for “interests” and my
elimination of the word “control”.
If you approve75
the message will be sent out Monday.76
J[ohn] C[arter] V[incent]
[Annex]
Draft Telegram From General McCoy to General of the Army
MacArthur
Message to SCAP from U.S.
Representative F.E.C. (Personal for
MacArthur from McCoy)
Reurad C59896 I appreciate greatly your full and frank reply to my
queries. I realize, as do the State and War Departments, the
problems which face you and the difficulties under which you are
laboring. I can assure you that all of us here concur in the general principles you have set forth, are
fully alive to the necessity of protecting
safeguarding your interests
position and share your concern
with
the
protection
of
desire to protect United States vital
interests and
control in the Far East.
The action of the Far Eastern Commission in formulating a policy
decision on the Japanese constitution was in accord with the Terms
of Reference of the Commission and
as contained in the Moscow Communiqué and with a statement made by the Secretary of
State to the Press that before the constitution became
constitutionally effective it would in some way come before the Far
Eastern Commission. The Commission shares your views that the
Constitution must be “established in accordance with the freely
expressed will of the Japanese people”. Any differences
variation of opinion which may exist in this
matter relates to the methods most
best adapted to achieving the objectives
which we all have in common. The
United
States
Our view
[Page 214]
is in full
accord with yours that the Commission should take no formal action
on a new Constitution unless such
the constitution fails to fulfill the policy provisions of the
Potsdam Declaration and the Instrument of Surrender. We also feel
that such restrictions should apply equally in Japan. However, in
order to enable the Commission to give due consideration to the
provisions of the Constitution it is important that we not be
confronted suddenly with a constitution passed by the Diet and ready
for the Emperor’s approval. The Commission is most anxious to
consider the new constitution, other drafts and amendments while
they
are
being
debated
prior to conclusion of debate thereon by the
Diet and the Japanese people.
The functions of the Far Eastern Commission and the Allied Council
are distinct in principle but somewhat difficult to differentiate
when it comes to specific problems. I have arranged to furnish you
with all F.E.C. papers and minutes
and think it would be helpful if we could furnish the Commission
with the minutes of the Council and other pertinent data. I believe
that the Commission would leave many questions to the Council if it
knew that the Council was gathering data on such subjects.
Again let me assure you that I have constantly in mind the interests
of the United States and that I will always protect your flank and
rear.
Since your message to me was referred to the Department
Secretary of State by urad77 I have
shown this message to the Secretary of
State at his request.
