730.00119 Control (Japan)/4–2946: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 1—11:49 a.m.]
195. 1. SCAP has received from War Dept by telegraph text of Far Eastern policy statement on US food shipments to Japan.80 We are concerned over the wording of the first paragraph of the policy statement, especially the reference to the Allied Council:
“Except to the extent that the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, with the advice of the Allied Council for Japan, determines.”
In context this reference to the Council would seem to imply granting of a controlling voice to the Council in this matter of food supplies and consequent limitation upon the authority of the Supreme Commander alone to determine measures necessary for the safety of the occupation forces. The wording of the statement also appears to imply a change in the terms of reference for the Council as set forth in the communiqué of the Moscow conference. Under B(96) of the communiqué, control function of the Council or its members are strictly limited and the category of matters on which members of the Council exercise some control do not include the particular question at hand.
The question whether the terms of reference for the Council can be so altered seems to me of utmost importance. I respectfully submit my opinion that change in the terms of reference for the Council can only be effected by unanimous agreement on a governmental level among the four govts whose agreement at Moscow December 27th 1945 created the Council. I may add that if this policy statement of the Far Eastern Commission is permitted to stand with the concurrence of the US, it will provide an opening wedge, inevitably to be followed by others, to divide the administrative responsibility of the Supreme Commander as the sole executive authority for the Allied powers in Japan. I believe that such division would undermine the occupation, would work great harm to American interests and American prestige, and would in the end nullify the announced objectives of all the allies in this country.
2. As regards the question of the Allied Council’s relationship to the matter of food supplies for Jap consumption sent to this country to safeguard the occupation, please see my telegram No. 192, April 26.
3. It would be very helpful to me, both as chairman and US member of the Allied Council, if Dept could conveniently keep me currently and adequately informed in regard to pertinent activities of the Far Eastern Commission.
- April 25, Department of State Bulletin, May 5, 1946, p. 756.↩