740.00119 Control (Japan)/11–448
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for Occupied Areas (Saltzman) to the united States Representative on the Far Eastern Commission (McCoy)
With reference to the statement made by the the Soviet Ambassador to the Far Eastern Commission on October 28 and given to the press, you may desire to use the following press statement, released by the Department of State on October 28, as an answer to the Soviet statement:
“With regard to the statement by the Soviet Ambassador before the Far Eastern Commission on October 28 and given to the press, it should be pointed out that General MacArthur, as a top U.S. Commander, holds conferences in Tokyo with high United States military officers from time to time and these are purely routine matters of sole concern to this Government.
“With respect to the allegation that the former Japanese naval base at Yokosuka is being converted into a modern naval base, it may be stated categorically that this is not true. This base has been used from the beginning of the occupation by the United States naval forces supporting the objectives of the occupation—which it is both necessary and proper for them to do. Accordingly, the implication that the Far Eastern Commission decision on the Basic Post-Surrender Policy for Japan is being violated is wholly without foundation.”