740.00119 Control (Korea)/8–1447: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
273. Cite Zpol 1022. Reuters report referred to in Deptel 166, August 12th,66 flatly denied here. Headquarters USAFIK had numerous reports and intercepted documents indicating August 15th as day for organized rioting, strikes, sabotage, assassinations and other acts of [Page 753] terrorism by Communists which would have involved rightist reprisals. National police were requested to conduct routine raids in Seoul on 5 Communist dominated headquarters for documentary evidence and to arrest a list of 20 high powered Communist leaders and agitators. Raids were extended locally to known headquarters of contacts with Communists of North Korea and to one known propaganda mill. Lower headquarters were raided by CIC in 4 southern provinces simultaneously. Raids were conducted on August 12th. Indications are that parties were tipped off and raids led to arrest of only 7 on list of 20. Although much documentary evidence along ordinary Communist “line” was captured only a few references to organized terrorism on August 15th were found higher headquarters in Seoul. National police on follow-up and for purpose of maintaining law and order have subsequently arrested total reported of 200 known Communist agitators. These arrests are civil affair conducted entirely by civil police. Early reports from provinces indicate considerable evidence of planned disorders for August 15th, showing that orders were passed from high echelons. Our authorities state raids and arrests are not “witch hunt” and are believed will have salutary effect in limiting terrorism on Korean liberation day since other leaders and agitators are underground.
- Not printed; it stated that “milit govt has ordered arrest of all extreme left wing leaders and that two thousand have already been rounded up.” (895.00/8–1247)↩