740.00119 Control (Japan)/8–147: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
209. For the Secretary and Assistant Secretary Hilldring. Remytel 202, July 28.39
1. We have not raised with Doctor Evatt any question concerning Allied Council. This morning I called on Doctor Evatt at his request and in course of conversation he said he realized now that the Council could and should have performed a useful function by giving constructive advice and recommendation; that it had been misused for propaganda purposes and as a springboard for criticism; that he had not given MacMahon Ball any instructions except that he should avoid giving offense and being critical; and that he now proposed to replace Ball by Lieutenant General Robertson, Australian commander of British Commonwealth Forces in Japan. While such replacement has been announced by Melbourne Radio, Doctor Evatt indicated that consultation with Australian Prime Minister40 was necessary before actual change could be effected and officially made public.41
2. Doctor Evatt’s visit is regarded here as having been highly satisfactory. Everything possible was done to make the visit pleasant and the atmosphere throughout has been one of gratifying friendliness and cordiality. In our conversations with him, we for our part made no commitments and put forth no affirmative suggestions in regard to the peace treaty. I have the impression from what Doctor Evatt has [Page 269] said to me that he has found the visit useful to himself politically (we believe that consideration was a prime one in his asking to come at this time) and also that he has found it educational as regards the occupation. His attitude now is one of praise and admiration and he seems to have gained sympathetic understanding of occupation problems not heretofore apparent in his public statements. He continues to speak privately of the whaling question, on which his attitude has not altered. This morning, he remarked again that the whole question of the future of Japanese whaling should be a matter for the peace settlement.
Principal burden of his remarks this morning was again question of the peace settlement. He expressed himself most anxious that we move forward rapidly; that preliminary conference be held early in September; that we avoid delays and complexities which he envisages in having preliminary conference of experts; and that it be a conference of foreign ministers and plenipotentiary delegates. He made the sound observation that the time is propitious for the peace settlement and that the situation will deteriorate if a settlement is unduly delayed. He said the whole matter should be concluded by March 1948. In general his ideas in regard to the peace settlement appear sound and consonant with ours here and—we assume and hope—with those of the Department.
At the conclusion of conversation, he expressed appreciation in highest terms of courtesies shown him and Mrs. Evatt by General and Mrs. MacArthur and those of us who participated in arrangements and entertainment for them. He said he had come with some apprehension as regards the character of the conversations he might have and had been delighted to encounter in us only thorough friendliness and frankness. He indicated that his desire was that British Commonwealth cooperate with the United States to the fullest in connection with Japan.
3. Please repeat to Canberra.42