501.BB Korea/3–948
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Northeast Asian Affairs (Allison)
| Participants: | Mr. Hume Wrong, Ambassador of Canada |
| Mr. J. E. Jacobs, Political Adviser to US Commander, Korea | |
| Mr. W. W. Butterworth, Director, FE | |
| Mr. J. M. Allison, Chief, NA |
The Canadian Ambassador was requested to call for the purpose of discussing the attitude taken in Seoul by Dr. George Patterson, the Canadian Representative on the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea. Reference was made to the account in this morning’s New York Times of Dr. Patterson’s action in stating that General Hodge had acted without consultation with the Commission and that the Commission’s action in setting a date for the election had not been properly taken. The Canadian Ambassador was also shown a ticker report which had just come to hand stating that Dr. Patterson had walked out of the Commission meeting in Seoul after expressing disapproval of the action of the Commission. Reference was made to the fact that on February 19 last Mr. L. B. Pearson, Canadian Representative on the Interim Committee in New York, had told the American Representative, Dr. Jessup, “that nothing (in connection with the withdrawal of the Canadian Representative on the Commission) would be done in any dramatic form which would play up any breach between the United States and Canada.” The opinion was expressed that Dr. Patterson’s action on statements to the press did not seem to be in keeping with the assurances of Mr. Pearson. The Canadian Ambassador was also informed in detail of the consultation that General Hodge had had with the Commission and of the fact that the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Menon, had been communicated with by telephone prior to setting any date. Mr. Wrong said that Dr. Patterson had been acting in conformity with instructions from his Government and portions of these instructions were read. However Mr. Wrong stated that he had not known before of the fact that Mr. Menon had been communicated with and that it would appear that General Hodge had acted properly although it was not as clear as to whether or not the Commission members in Korea had the authority to take the action they did. He said he would send Ottawa a telegram giving full information as to the basis on which General Hodge has acted.