MACARTHUR’S ORDERS

Grey River Argus, 16 May 1946, Page 5

MACARTHUR’S ORDERS

Russian Complaint ABOUT CONTROL OF JAPAN. (Rec. 8.20). TOKIO. May 15. The Russians have made the proposal in regard to control of Japan that General MacArthur first submit to the Allied Council drafts of any orders which he intends making. In reply, the Council chairman, Mr George Acheson, declared that any attempt by the Council to discuss essential directives by General MacArthur before they are issued to the Japanese Government would constitute entirely an unjustifiable obstruction to the occupation Mr Acheson added that such a procedure would convert the Council into an agency for negotiations among the four Governments concerned. The Council’s function was to “assist by advice and counsel” in carrying out the policy decisions resulting from in-ter-Governmental negotiations which had already been undertaken and concluded. Mr Acheson said that General MacArthur showed the Allied Council his directives 48 hours before they were issued, but Lieutenant-General Dervyanko contended that this did not provide sufficient time for the Council members to consult their Governments or to discuss matters among themselves.