Office of the Historian

740.0011 P.W. (Peace)/11–1747

The Chinese Ambassador (Koo) to the Secretary of State

Washington, November 17, 1947.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you the following note dated November 17, 1947, from Dr. Wang Shih-Chieh, Minister of Foreign Affairs: [Page 569]

“On July 11th, 1947, the United States Government made a proposal for the calling of a preliminary peace conference dealing with Japan. The terms of the proposal did not, however, meet with the concurrence of all the powers consulted.

“Bearing in mind the necessity of an early reestablishment of peace and normal conditions in the Far East and having due regard to the difference of opinion that has arisen on this matter, the Chinese Government holds the view that the preliminary peace conference should not deviate from the principles which govern the composition and procedure of the Far Eastern Commission and which had the approval of all the eleven members of the Commission. The Chinese Government therefore submits the following proposals regarding the composition and procedure of a preliminary peace conference for Japan:

  • “(a) A preliminary conference composed of all the members of the Far Eastern Commission shall be convened at an early date to be agreed upon by the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States and China, to proceed with the drafting of the peace treaty and to determine matters pertaining to the calling of the final peace conference.
  • “(b) Decisions of the conference should be taken by a majority of the member states composing the conference, including the concurring votes of the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States and China.

“Identical notes containing these suggestions are being sent to the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. It is further suggested, should the United States Government and the other two governments concerned agree to the aforesaid proposals, that after the fixing of a date for the preliminary conference, the United States Government be requested to issue invitations in the names of the four powers, namely, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States and China to the other members of the Far Eastern Commission. The Chinese Government would appreciate an early reply from the United States Government.”

Accept [etc.]

V. K. Wellington Koo