790.5/2–251: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser to SCAP (Sebald) to the Secretary of State
1500. For Rusk from Dulles. In view of UK attitude toward Pacific island pact, request Washington opinion as to whether Mission might usefully try to lead Canberra to suggest declaration along following lines:
“Declaration by the Governments of Australia, Indonesia (?), Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
“1. The declarants recognize that the Aleutians, Japan,1 the Ryukyus, the Philippines, Indonesia (?), Australia, and New Zealand have security problems that are related and distinctive because these areas form geographically a connecting off-shore island chain peculiarly subject to the influence of sea and air power.
“2. Each of the declarants recognizes that an armed attack upon any of the areas mentioned would be dangerous to its own peace and security because of its direct responsibility therein or in the case of the United Kingdom because of its Commonwealth ties with Australia and New Zealand.
“3. The declarants will consult together periodically with a view to concerting such measures as may be appropriate to implement between them their inherent right of collective self-defense of the areas in question.”2
Sebald
- Documentation in the Japanese compilation reveals that the Dulles Mission was simultaneously considering a bilateral U.S.-Japan security agreement by this time for reasons not solely connected with the British attitude towards a regional “offshore” Pacific Pact. See pp. 777 ff.↩
- In telegram 1792 to Manila, February 10, marked “Dulles from Rusk”, the Department stated: “Dept has no objection to general line indicated in Sebald’s 1500 Feb. 3 but believes this should be discussed as one alternative rather than as official or preferred position.” (790.5/2–1051) This telegram, drafted by Mr. Emmerson, was cleared by BNA, NA, and FE. The Dulles Mission left Japan for the Philippines the following day.↩