894.30/6–1147
Memorandum by Mr. John K. Emmerson, Special Assistant to the Chief of the Division of Northeast Asian Affairs (Borton)
With the receipt from the Chinese Embassy of their note6 delivered June 9 designating representatives to participate in the drawing of lots in Tokyo and specifying Shanghai as the port of delivery, it is presumed that SCAP will proceed with the division of the ships. The Chinese note was telegraphed to Tokyo on June 9 (Deptel 206, June 9).7
SWNCC 186/27 is awaiting approval of SFE. State and Navy have both approved this paper with the revisions attached to the documents herewith. War Department has wired SCAP for further information regarding a provision contained in a SCAP telegram and incorporated into the revisions of SWNCC 186/27 that ships of low speed hull form which can be profitably employed in the Japanese fishing and coastal trade be declared surplus to OFLC. War Department is expected to approve the paper upon receipt of clarification of this point from SCAP.
It is noted that our suggested new paragraph 16 c specifies the action which the State Department is to take with regard to the transfer of certain of these vessels to the French and Chinese Governments. I am informed that an opinion from the Attorney General8 is expected shortly. Mr. Paul A. Wolkin in Le is informed regarding the action awaited by the Attorney General and should be consulted if you wish to make inquiry concerning this phase of the problem. Mr. Wallner [Page 408] of WE and Mr. Ringwalt of CA are informed regarding the French and Chinese aspects of the problem.
Representatives of the War and Navy Departments who have been actively working on this paper are Major Miller, CAD, War Department Extension 5013, and for the Navy, Colonel Metz, Navy Department Extension 61293.