740.00119 P.W./10–2846
Memorandum by the State–War–Navy Coordinating Committee to the Secretary of State
SWN–4857
Subject: Restitution of Looted Property in Japan
The following message from the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers has been received from the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
“Reurad WCL 30315 (Serial Directive #57), 25 July, subject ‘Restitution of Looted Property’,37 no mention is made of former proviso contained in interim policy (Serial Directive #3038), that objects [Page 588] subject to restitution must have been removed from areas occupied by Japanese armed forces subsequent to 7 July 1937. Elimination of limiting date has resulted in submission of claims for restitution which do not appear to be within the intended scope of the restitution directives.
“As specific examples the following claims and inquiries have been received: Inquiry from Union of Soviet Socialist Republics regarding ships acquired by Japanese as result of war 1904–1905; claim from Chinese for anchors with chains and cannon shells removed from China warship in 1895; claim for artistic and industrial articles removed from Korea 1592 [sic].
“Investigation into these matters presents many time consuming problems and difficulties because records and proof of ownership are not available and property is difficult to locate and identify.
“Request clarification.”
It is requested that the Department of State transmit the above message to the U.S. representative on the Far Eastern Commission for submittal to that Commission with a view to obtaining clarification.39
Secretary