740.00119 Control (Japan)/9–248
The Acting Secretary of State to the Australian Ambassador (Makin)
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your note No. 328/48 of September 2, 1948, referring to your note of May 7, 19481 concerning the proposal of the Australian Government to reduce the Australian contingent of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force by December 31, 1948.
The Department of the Army was notified of your latest communication and on the basis of information received from the Secretary of the Army it is requested that the Australian Government give favorable consideration to maintaining in Japan a British Commonwealth force equivalent to one United States infantry division (less one regimental combat team) plus necessary service troops, at least until such time as it may be determined that a substantial reduction may be made in the occupation forces.
The Government of the United States, while appreciating Australia’s recruiting difficulties, feels that steps might be taken either to overcome them or to modify current plans for deployment of the regular forces in order to maintain Australia’s participation in the united security effort in the PacifiC–Far Eastern area. In view of our own very extensive military commitments not only in Japan but throughout the world, the Government of the United States cannot subscribe to this proposed further reduction of the British Commonwealth forces in Japan.
It is recognized that the MacArthur-Northcott agreement provides that the British Commonwealth Occupation Force may be withdrawn [Page 887] wholly or in part upon agreement between the United States and the Australian Governments upon six months’ notice by either party. If the Australian Government furnishes the United States Government firm notice of the reduction of the Australian contingent, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers will be advised through the Department of the Army to redeploy United States forces then in Japan as may be necessitated by the reduction in the strength of the British Commonwealth forces.
Accept [etc.]
- Neither printed.↩