124.93/11–1248: Telegram
The Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers in Japan (MacArthur) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 12—1:04 a.m.]
65329. From SCAP to American Embassy, Nanking, info Dept of Army, pass to State. This refers to 100114Z sent USPol,47 Tokyo, 106 and repeated to Secretary of State 2152, November 9. [Page 879] Your proposal to transfer personnel of United States Embassy and Consular agencies, estimated at maximum of 600 individuals from China stations to Japan for accommodations for an indefinite period pending readjustment of military situation in China, is considered utterly unfeasible because of lack of facilities here. The shortage of accommodations has developed a continuing extensive backlog in the United States of dependents of certain categories of occupation personnel while entry of dependents of certain other categories has been denied completely.
There is further objection to entry of United States personnel on the basis suggested by you in that such action would constitute an unilateral privilege to the United States in an international area that would require the according of similar privilege to persons of Allied Nations, thereby creating an impossible and embarrassing situation. This proposed use of Japan as a base for the United States diplomatic agencies accredited to China would probably be strongly protested and would unquestionably develop serious international complications.
The Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers is, however, prepared to provide for emergency transitory accommodations in Japan for this personnel to the extent necessary, pending arrangements for passage to the United States or other destination.
- Office of United States Political Adviser to the Supreme Commander, Allied Powers, Japan.↩