894.50/4–948
The United States Representative on the Far
Eastern Commission (McCoy) to the Secretary of State
Washington, April 9, 1948.
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I enclose a copy of
a statement which was read by the Delegate of the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics at the meeting of the Far Eastern Commission
held on April 8, 1948.1 In this statement the
Soviet Delegate refers to the statement made by the United States
Government on January 21, 19482 to the effect that it would be necessary to
work out new measures for the establishment of a self-supporting
economy in Japan. He urges that sufficient time has elapsed since
January 21, 1948 for plans to have been made and submitted to the
Far Eastern Commission for its consideration, but that no plans have
been made available to the Far Eastern Commission. The Soviet
Delegate stresses the fact that while no plans have been proposed by
the United States to the Commission, the United States press has
again and again contained articles which “refer to the fact that the
United States Government is working out its policy in regard to
reconstruction of the Japanese industry and is planning the
allotment of certain credits for this purpose …” The Soviet Delegate
claims that all of this has for its purpose unilateral action by the
United States Government and evasion of the responsibilities of the
Far Eastern Commission. On a separate sheet enclosed there is given
a chronological sequence of Far Eastern Commission papers in regard
to this matter.
I am persuaded that the statements made by the Soviet Representative
are in a sense based on a misunderstanding of the actual situation,
and I feel that the Department will wish to consider the statement
of the Soviet Representative in the light of its statement of
January 21, 1948 and against the background of newspaper articles
since that date in the preparation of information which I might use
for the benefit of the whole Commission.
Respectfully submitted,
[Page 967]
[Enclosure]
Chronological List of Far Eastern
Commission Papers Relating to United States Proposals for
Economic Rehabilitation in Japan and Soviet Reaction
Thereto
1.
FEC–292. Subject:
United States Statement on the Economy of Japan
This document is a statement based on a statement given to the
press by the Department of State on January 21, 1948. This
statement was read to the members of the Far Eastern Commission
by the American Delegate on January 21, 1948.
2.
FEC–298. Subject:
Soviet Proposal Concerning Planned Credits for the
Reconstruction of Japanese Industry
This document was submitted to the Far Eastern Commission on
February 24, 1948 for consideration by the Far Eastern
Commission at its meeting on February 26, 1948. In this document
the Soviet Delegate quotes an item taken from a Chinese Central
News report from Japan which refers to the United States
statement on the economy of Japan (cf. Item 1). The Chinese news
report alleges that the United States is preparing to devote
certain sums of money for industrial reconstruction in Japan.
The Soviet Delegation asks for information as to what
investments the United States has made in the period 1945–47 for
the purpose of reconstruction of Japanese industry.
3.
FEC–298/1. Subject:
United States Statement in Reply to Soviet Questions Concerning
Reconstruction of Japanese Industry
This document is a statement made by the United States
Representative to the Far Eastern Commission on March 4, 1948 in
reply to the questions raised by the Soviet Delegation in FEC–298 (cf. Item 2).
4.
FEC–298/2. Subject:
Soviet Statement Concerning Planned Credits for the
Reconstruction of Japanese Industry
This document is a statement made by the Soviet Delegate to the
Far Eastern Commission at its meeting on April 8, 1948. This is
the document which is being brought to the attention of the
Secretary of State for possible reply. In this statement the
Soviet Representative states his opinion that sufficient time
has now elapsed for the completion and presentation to the Far
Eastern Commission of the plans forecast by the United States
statement of January 21, 1948. He complains that no plans have
been submitted, and indicates by reference to further articles
in the press that apparently the United States is proceeding
with its plans for reconstruction of Japanese industry and
[Page 968]
the allotment of
credits without reference to the Far Eastern Commission.
Specific reference is made to articles appearing in the “New
York Herald Tribune” and “PM” of April 7, 1948.
