U.S. and Britain To Reopen Question of Japanese Treaty

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23091, 2 November 1949, Page 7

U.S. and Britain To Reopen Question of Japanese Treaty

(N.Z.P.A.—Reuter —Copy right.) (10 a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 1. Britain and the United States had decided to reopen the question of (he Japanese peace treaty as quickly as possible, says the New York Times diplomatic correspondent, James Reston. Mr. Bevin and Mr. Acheson discussed this step at their recent talks in Washington and ordered a new and urgent study of the matter. This is now under way in London and Washington. Mr. Philip Jessup, American Ambassador at Large, has been detached from most of his other duties to review American policy in the whole area of Japan, China, India and SouthEast Asia. Reston said that after preliminary studies have been made in London and Washington, other members of the Far

East Commission would be invited formally to express their views on the subject. - Meanwhile, informal discussions on the reopening of the treaty question are going on in Washington and other capitals. Two difficult legal questions, however, confronted those studying the question. 1. Whether the Japanese peace conference - should be held without Russia if that country refused to attend such a conference with other members of the Far East Commission. 2. Who should represent China in the conference—the Communists who, before many weeks, may be recognised by Britain and other members of the commission or the present Nationalist Government which the United States Government is likely to recognise for some time as the legitimate Government of China?

The correspondent added that two factors spurring the United States to negotiate a treaty were: 1. The fact that the Japanese Communists were benefiting by the restiveness in Japan over the continuation of the occupation and the economic policy that had been put into operation at General MacArthur’s direction. 2. The growing feeling in Washington, especially since the military losses of the Chinese Nationalists and the rise of the new national movement in India and Southern Asia that the United States, Britain and their allies must give evidence soon that they have some more positive policy for Japan than prolonged military occupation.

The British Foreign Office spokesman said today that a re-examination of the possibility of concluding a Japanese peace treaty, which was begun after the conversations in Washington last year between the British, American and French Foreign Ministers was continuing at the Foreign Office. He added that no conclusions had been reached and that there was no immediate prospect of negotiating a treaty.