894.30/5–547
The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Inverchapel)
The Secretary of State presents his compliments to His Excellency the British Ambassador and has the honor to refer to his note of March 6, 1947,93 with regard to the disposition of certain combatant vessels of the Japanese Navy.
In reply to the question regarding the disposition of Japanese naval tugs, harbor craft and salvage vessels, it may be stated that these vessels are not regarded as combatant vessels and have therefore not been included in the list of combatant vessels of destroyer tonnage or less, to be divided among the United Kingdom, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Republic of China, and the United States.
[Page 398]It is the intention of the United States Government that Japanese ex-naval tugs, harbor craft and salvage vessels be used in the economic rehabilitation of Japan in fulfillment of the objectives of the occupation. Since the vast majority of these vessels are of less than 100 gross tons, it is the position of the United States Government that they are not subject to classification as merchant vessels and hence are not available for reparations.
With regard to the request for certain technical information concerning transports, minesweepers, and auxiliary subchasers, it is understood that complete information of this nature is already in the hands of the British Admiralty. Should additional data be required, it is suggested that inquiry be made of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Tokyo by the appropriate representatives of the British Government accredited in Japan.
This communication is transmitted to the Ambassador for his confidential information.
- Not printed. In a later note, G77/–/47, April 22, the British Ambassador replied to a note from the Department of February 24 (not printed), by stating objection to restriction to one port for delivery of combatant vessels allocated to Great Britain, and asked to reserve Hong Kong in addition (894.30/4–2247).↩