Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The Far East, Volume VI

740.0011 PW (Peace)/6–247: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Australia

secret

Washington, June 10, 1947—3 p.m.

148. Dept would appreciate whatever info you have on Australian views as to Japanese peace treaty but you should not initiate discussions on the subject and should make it clear to the Australian Govt that we are not yet prepared to enter into bilateral discussions with other nations. Furthermore Dept does not feel that any useful purpose would be served by implementing the proposal that Evatt and you visit Japan (urtel 176 June 2⁸⁷). You may point out to the Australian Govt that in the near future we will hope to be in a position to exchange views with the Australian Govt in regard to a Japanese peace treaty and to discuss the matter with other interested govts.

With regard to General MacArthur you may say that we are of course in close consultation with him on the subject.⁸⁸

Marshall

87. Not printed.
88. In telegram 151, June 12, 7 p.m., to Canberra, the Department stated that a Commonwealth conference and a visit to SCAP might arouse misgivings unfavorable to peace negotiations (740.0011 PW(Peace)/6–247).