740.00119 PW/12–2248
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Northeast Asian Affairs (Bishop)
I discussed the question of reparations with Mr. Hamilton this morning and he has made what I consider to be one of the most important [Page 1068] points. While the arguments of practicality, of security and of similar factors of greatest importance immediately and unilaterally to the United States are to be given due weight, we must in taking a position assure that we have the soundest possible moral basis for that position. We should, therefore, make every effort to justify on the basis of general good a position which may require us to depart from a previous international commitment that there would be exacted from Japan “reparations in kind”. This moral justification of our position will take considerable study and thought, but I feel that it can and should be given, in presenting our case, equal if not more weight than the practicalities motivating us.