740.00119 Control (Korea)/8–1547: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs)
168. Following statement being issued to press by Dept today:
“Reports have reached the Department of State from Korea, alleging that the American Commander there, General Hodge, has been following a policy in Korea contrary to that of the United States Government as laid down in Washington. The projected visit to Korea of General Wedemeyer and the recent letter addressed by Secretary Marshall to Mr. Molotov are cited as evidence of a coming change in United States policy as it has been carried out in Korea by General Hodge. Such allegations have absolutely no foundation in fact.
“The policy of the United States Government towards Korea has been and still is to assure that Korea shall become a free, united and sovereign nation with a democratic government representative of the will of its people. In addition to the funds for Korea appropriated to the War Department by the Congress, Governmental agencies in Washington, in close collaboration with General Hodge, are completing studies on the requirements of the Korean people for further aid. These studies will be supplemented by the report of General Wedemeyer, who heads a fact-finding mission of Government experts to Korea and China. Any program of further aid developed from these studies will be closely coordinated with the Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces in Korea, as existing programs and policies have been.
“The Department of State therefore wishes to state categorically that there is but one American policy toward Korea and that General Hodge has faithfully and consistently acted in conformance therewith under difficult and complex circumstances.”