Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI

694.001/1–2450

The Acting United States Political Adviser for Japan (Sebald) to the Department of State

secret

[Tokyo,] January 24, 1950.

Summary of Discussions Regarding Japanese Peace Treaty at Commonwealth Conference Held at Colombo, January 1950

Sir Alvary Gascoigne, Head of the United Kingdom Liaison Mission in Japan, called upon me today and allowed me to read a brief summary of the principal results of the discussions regarding the Japanese Peace Treaty at the Commonwealth Conference recently held at Colombo. Sir Alvary said that while he was not authorized to show me the document (which comprised six short paragraphs), he thought it would be of interest to me. The gist of the document is as follows:

1. There were no major disagreements among the several delegates and the general consensus appeared to be that the Commonwealths are in favor of a broad, liberal approach to the Japanese treaty.

2. Adequate provision should be made in the treaty to ensure that Japan does not revert to militarism or to a reactionary type of government.

3. Although no one contended that a post-treaty commission exercising control powers should be established, in one case a recommendation was made that such a commision should be formed for a number of years with inspection authority to ensure that the terms of the treaty are carried out.

4. No one present appeared to be adverse to negotiating and signing the Treaty of Peace without Soviet Russia and Communist China.

5. The several Commonwealths should closely coordinate and cooperate on the substantive provisions of the treaty, and then with the United States in order that common policies may be maintained between the Commonwealths and the United States.

6. Mr. Bevin made it clear that the United States has no intention of using Japan as a springboard for attack upon Soviet Russia; the United States, however, is primarily interested in forestalling an attack upon Japan by Soviet Russia.¹

Additionally, Sir Alvary showed me a telegram which indicated that a Commonwealth “working committee”, comprising High Commissioners from each Commonwealth and staffs, would be instituted in London for the purpose of studying and formulating a substantive draft of the Japanese peace treaty. He stated that in his opinion, however, this committee could not perform much useful work until such time as the United States’ proposed draft treaty becomes available.

1. A document entitled “United Kingdom Paper on the Japanese Peace Treaty Discussed at Colombo—January, 1950,” not printed, includes an analysis of United States policy with regard to Japan. (694.001/1–1950)