740.00119 FEAC/9–2749
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs (Butterworth)
Mr. Reuchlin called at his request. He opened the conversation by referring to the fact that he, as Chairman of the Far Eastern Commission Steering Committee, had not called a meeting of his Committee this week because there was nothing to discuss.
He continued to say that he thought the Far Eastern Commission was a useless organization and that nothing could be accomplished within the frame of reference of the Commission until a peace treaty with Japan had been negotiated. He then asked, apparently on instruction, for an indication of the direction which the conversations between the Department and British officials had taken in respect to a Japanese peace treaty. I replied in general terms that Mr. Bevin had initiated conversations on the subject; that the British were aware as we are that the present situation is unsatisfactory; that the possession by certain powers of a veto will make negotiation of a peace treaty very difficult; and finally, that a re-examination of the prospects for a peace treaty with Japan was desirable and should be undertaken immediately. I added that Mr. Bevin and the Secretary were agreed that one of the most important prerequisites to the successful negotiation of a peace treaty with Japan was a precise understanding with all the friendly, interested powers before negotiations were undertaken. I interpolated at this point that the Department has considered the Dutch attitude in the Far Eastern Commission far more helpful than that of certain other powers. Mr. Reuchlin replied that he thought certain other powers—he cited Australia—would be less difficult [Page 868] if represented by more responsible officials and if engaged on operations, the importance of which they fully understood.
In recapitulating the conversation, Mr. Reuchlin said he understood that no immediate developments could be expected in the way of a peace treaty with Japan but that serious and active consideration of a new approach to that treaty was under consideration at the present time.