740.00119 Control (Korea)/4–1446: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
secret
urgent
urgent
Seoul, undated.
[Received April 14, 1946—7:40 a.m.]
[Received April 14, 1946—7:40 a.m.]
Cite Tfurc 25 [Tokyo]. [From Langdon and Thayer.]
- (1).
- After considerable pressure, including threat of full press release, Russians have now agreed to accept formula by which all parties, upholding aims of Moscow decision, abiding [abide?] by decisions of Joint Commission in forming a government and cooperation [with] “the Joint Commission in the working out by it with the participation of the provisional Korean Government of proposals concerning measures foreseen by paragraph 3 of the Moscow decision for helping and assisting (trusteeship) the political, economic and social progress of the Korean people, the development of democratic self government and the establishment of the national independence of Korea”.
- (2).
- We are pressing for omission of parenthetical word trusteeship from declaration since it has such an explosive reaction on some Koreans. Shtikov has requested his higher command for permission to omit word. However, since it is in the passage of Moscow communiqué quoted, his request may be denied.
- (3).
- Since the wording is in our view sufficiently qualified to permit those opposing trusteeship to sign declaration, we feel we can accept formula even with the word included.
- (4).
- Unless there is objection and so inform us before Monday morning we will accept if necessary.
[
Langdon
and Thayer
]