611.95A22/7–850
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Deputy Director of the Office of Northeast Asian Affairs (Johnson)
Subject: Korean Blockade
| Participants: | Mr. Matthews—Secretary of the Navy |
| Admiral McCormick—Deputy Chief of Naval Operations | |
| Mr. Matthews (G) | |
| Mr. Jessup—S/A | |
| Mr. Dean Rusk—FE | |
| Mr. U. Alexis Johnson—NA |
In reply to our queries Mr. Matthews stated that in the event a Russian merchant vessel attempted to enter a blockaded port in Korea [Page 333] the vessel would be stopped and, if necessary, fired upon in order to enforce the orders of the blockading vessel. In the event a Russian naval vessel attempted to enter a blockaded port it would, in accord with normal international practice in such cases, be permitted to proceed as well as to leave the port. In the event a Russian merchant vessel, escorted by a Russian naval vessel, attempted to enter a blockaded port the merchant vessel would be stopped but the naval vessel would be permitted to proceed. If the Russian naval vessel attempted to interfere with any measures taken to stop the merchant vessel and fired upon the blockading vessel, the blockading vessel would return the fire as a matter of self-defense.
The question of the President proclaiming a blockade in conventional terms defining the presently patrolled area and other legal aspects were briefly discussed without decision. Sec. Matthews instructed Admiral McCormick to obtain more information from Admiral Joy1 concerning the background of the decision to confine the patrolled area to 41 degrees on the east coast, 39 degrees, 30 minutes on the west coast.
Sec. Matthews indicated his tentative and informal agreement with Mr. Rusk’s suggestion that consideration be given to having the Commander of UN Forces, designated by the United States in accordance with the Security Council resolution of July 7, to proclaim the blockade.
It was agreed that State would work out some formula for consideration by the Navy and that Mr. Fisher (L) and Mr. Johnson would confer with Admiral McCormick on the matter.
- Vice Adm. C. T. Joy, Commander of Naval Forces, Far East.↩