Lot 54D423
Memorandum by the Special Assistant for Occupied Areas in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Hamblen) to the Deputy to the Consultant (Allison)
top secret
Washington, May 15,
1951.
Subject: Informal Defense Views on Draft Treaty with Australia and New Zealand
- 1.
- On 19 April 1951, the Secretary of Defense transmitted the interim views of the JCS1 to the Secretary of State on various documents pertaining to the Japanese peace treaty and ancillary problems.
- 2.
- In paragraph 11 of the JCS memorandum, dated 17 April 1951,2 there was set forth their objections to Articles VII and VIII of the proposed Australian/New Zealand treaty.
- 3.
- In his letter of 13 April 1951 to the Secretary of State,3 the Secretary of Defense in sub-paragraphs d and e further delineates the objections of the JCS to Article VIII.
- 4.
- In accordance with your request that I determine what provisions now contained in Articles VII and VIII are objectable, I have consulted the immediate advisors of the JCS and other interested individuals. It is my opinion that Article VII would become satisfactory if the phrase “and set up such subsidiary bodies as may be necessary to accomplish its purpose” were deleted. There appears to be no way to rectify Article VIII to make it satisfactory. Its elimination therefore appears desirable.
- 5.
- It is envisaged that the Council established by Article VII would be a political council. This would not preclude a military advisor to the U.S. representative, but would not contemplate combined planning between or among military advisors.
- 6.
- In view of the objections contained in sub-paragraph d of the letter of 13 April 1951, and of the fact that no other regional organizations now exist with which coordinated planning in the Pacific area is desired, it appears desirable to withhold the inclusion of Article VIII until such a Pacific regional organization comes into being. At that time consideration can be given to the degree of military collaboration which should be sought.
A. L. Hamblen
Brigadier General, GSC Coordinator