Executive Secretariat Files

Note by the NSC Acting Executive Secretary (Lay) to the National Security Council

top secret

NSC 13/1

Reference: NSC 131

Recommendations With Respect to U.S. Policy Toward Japan

At the request of the Acting Secretary of State the enclosed report2 on the above subject is submitted for consideration by the National Security Council at a special meeting on Thursday, September 30, 1948.

The report, with the exception of paragraph 20, is a modification by the National Security Council Staff, with the advice and assistance of representatives of the Departments of State, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force and of the National Security Resources Board and the Central Intelligence Agency, of an original draft by the Department of State (NSC 13). Paragraph 20 contains the divergent proposals regarding reparations which have been submitted to the Council by the Departments of State and the Army.

Attention is invited also to the divergent views with respect to the second sentence of paragraph 9.

It is suggested that the enclosed report, as adopted by the Council, be submitted to the President with the recommendation that he approve the conclusions contained therein and direct that they be implemented by all appropriate Executive Departments and Agencies of the U.S. Government under the coordination of the Secretary of State.

James S. Lay, Jr.
  1. June 2; for text, see annex 2, May 26, p. 776.
  2. For revised text adopted on October 7, see p. 858.