740.0011 P.W. (Peace)/12–647
The Chinese Ambassador (Koo) to the Acting Secretary of State 97
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you the following note dated December 6, 1947, from Dr. Wang Shih-Chieh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, addressed to the Secretary of State:
“Sir: I have the honor to refer to my note of November 17, 1947, on the proposed preliminary peace conference dealing with Japan and [Page 588] the reply thereto from the Soviet Foreign Minister, of which I understand an identical copy was sent to you on November 27, 1947. I have today addressed another note to the Soviet Foreign Minister. The following is its full text:
‘I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Note in reply to my Note of November 17, 1947, which was transmitted by the Soviet Chargé d’Affaires in Nanking on November 27, 1947.
‘The Chinese Government has given your reply its most careful consideration and is glad to note that the Soviet Government is as desirous as the Chinese Government of effecting an early peace with Japan. The Chinese Government is, however, unable to share the view that the task of preparing a peace settlement for Japan must needs be confined to the four major Powers. While the Potsdam Agreement of July 26, 1945, constitutes the basis for the formation of the Council of Foreign Ministers, it does not contain any express provision investing the Council with the function of preparing a peace treaty on Japan. On the other hand, the Far Eastern Commission, which was created under the terms of the Moscow Agreement of December 1945, was explicitly charged with the work of formulating policies, principles and standards in relation to the fulfillment by Japan of its obligations under the terms of surrender. The composition and voting procedure of the Commission were agreed upon by all its members.
‘It is the view of the Chinese Government that the function of the Commission as stated above is no less vital than, in fact bears close relation to, that of the preliminary peace conference now under consideration. The Chinese Government sees no necessity for such a conference to deviate from the principles governing either the composition or the voting procedure of the Far Eastern Commission. Insistence on such deviation may only cause further delay in the calling of such a conference. It is therefore earnestly hoped that after further consideration the Soviet Government will see its way to accept the views of the Chinese Government.
‘As to the suggestion of the Soviet Government that the proposed preliminary conference be convened in January, 1948, in China, the Chinese Government is prepared to give it its acceptance, should the Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom also find the proposal agreeable. Failing such agreement, the Chinese Government will maintain its original proposal in regard to the site of the proposed conference as set forth in my note of November 17, 1947.
‘Separate notes containing identical observations are being communicated to the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom.’
“I avail myself of this occasion to renew to you, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration. Wang Shih-Chieh”
Accept [etc.]
- On December 12 the Department sent copies of the Soviet Union’s notes of August 29 and November 27, and the Chinese notes of November 17 and December 6 to the other seven members of the Far Eastern Commission who had not hitherto received them; the British and Chinese Embassies were orally informed on December 12 and 15, respectively.↩