894.501/9–1951
Memorandum by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (Lovett)1
Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense
Subject: Release of Heavy Armament to the Japanese National Police Reserve
1. In connection with establishing the “Special Far East Command Reserve” for the Japanese National Police Reserve (JNPR) [Page 1350] the Secretary of Defense, in a letter to the Secretary of State dated 20 April 1951,2 agreed that heavy armament should not be released to the Japanese “without specific prior agreement by the Department of State or approval at the highest Governmental level.” The Department of State subsequently agreed orally to define “heavy armament” as “tanks, all types; artillery, all types; recoilless rifles; mortars larger than 81mm; rockets larger than 3.5 inch; and similar heavy weapons.” A sufficient supply of 105mm and 155mm howitzers for the four-division force has already been shipped to Japan. The major portion of the tank requirements for this force cleared United States ports by 1 September, and the balance of the tank requirements will be ready for shipment by 15 October. Other needed items of heavy armament will be sent to Japan as rapidly as they become available.
2. General Ridgway has recently (a) re-emphasized the seriousness of the threat to the security of Japan now posed by Soviet capabilities in the Far East, and (b) recommended reconsideration of a decision by the Joint Chiefs of Staff that at this time no major additional United States units would be made available for shipment to Japan. Increased tensions in the Far East resulting from the signing of a peace treaty with Japan without participation by the USSR and Communist China indicate the desirability of prompt action to increase the security of Japan.
3. Since no additional United States forces can be made available for shipment to Japan without the acceptance of unwarranted risks in other vital areas, the Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that it has become urgent to develop the full combat capability of the JNPR as rapidly as possible by removing the present restrictions on release of heavy armament to this force. Accordingly, the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommend that you request the Secretary of State to concur in release of heavy armament to the JNPR at General Ridgway’s discretion.3
Chairman
Joint Chiefs of Staff
- President Truman had appointed Mr. Lovett to succeed Secretary Marshall, who resigned September 1.↩
- Ante, p. 1001.↩
- Secretary Lovett submitted this recommendation to the Department of (State under cover of his letter of September 19, not printed, in which he in part stated his concurrence with the views of the Joint Chiefs (894.501/9–1951).↩