894.628/4–1348
The Department of State to the Australian Embassy
Aide-mémoire
The Department of State desires to refer to earlier communications on the subject of the 1946–47 and 1947–48 SCAP-administered, [Page 738] Japanese-manned Antarctic whaling expeditions, and to inform the Government of Australia, in view of its previously expressed interest in this matter, that the Secretary of State has been advised by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan that it is desired to authorize the Japanese Government to begin preparations for a 1948–49 expedition similar to the two already held.
It is the Supreme Commander’s view that the continuing acute shortage of necessary food products in Japan, and the importance of maximizing foreign exchange resources for the procurement of essential imports for Japan, render a third expedition necessary. The Supreme Commander states that it is contemplated that three factory ships, with accompanying vessels, will be employed on the expedition. He further states that adequate steps will be taken by him to insure that all international whaling regulations are scrupulously observed on the expedition; that Allied observers will be welcomed on the expedition to observe compliance with the regulations; and that all supplies of whale oil obtained by the expedition will be made available for allocation by the International Emergency Food Council.
The Department of State will be glad to transmit to the Supreme Commander for his careful consideration such views as the Australian Government may care to submit regarding the contemplated expedition.