740.00119 PW/12–1646
Ben C. Limb to Ambassador Edwin W. Pauley46
Dear Mr. Pauley: I have read of the call for the Reparations Conference and have noticed the number of countries invited to attend.
I cannot understand the omission of Korea which, more than any other Nation in the world, has a prior claim on Japan for reparations.
[Page 595]You have visited our country and know the story at first hand.
I am directed by radiogram from Seoul by Dr. Syngman Rhee, Chairman of the Representative Democratic Council of South Korea, to request the inclusion of Korea in this conference, and I shall respectfully await your reply.
With my highest esteem [etc.]
Chairman of Korean Commission
Copy transmitted to the Department by Mr. Pauley with his letter of December 16, 1946, to Acting Secretary of State Acheson; on January 8, 1947, Mr. Acheson replied to Mr. Pauley and stated: “I agree that we cannot afford to recognize Mr. Limb or Dr. Rhee at this time” and transmitted copy of a letter of the same date from Mr. Martin to Mr. Limb. This letter stated: “The negotiations for a settlement of Japanese reparations issues will be carried out on a governmental level by the countries represented on the Far Eastern Commission. As part of its responsibility for Southern Korea the United States Government will, as it has previously announced, use a portion of the allocation made to it to secure industrial equipment from Japan for installation in Southern Korea.
↩“You may be sure that the United States will be vigilant in protecting the interests of the people of Korea in securing assistance from Japan to make up for their many years of exploitation by the Japanese.” (740.00119 PW/12–1646)