KOREA AND CHINA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXVI, Issue 26, 29 December 1945, Page 5

KOREA AND CHINA

FUTURE WELFARE. DEMOCRATIC CONTROL. MOSCOW, Dec. 28. A Democratic Government for Korea, which has been under Japanese control for many years, is proposed in the communique. The clauses relating to Korea are as follow : First. —With a view to the re-estab-lishment of Korea as an independent State, the creation of conditions for developing the country on Democratic principles and the earliest possible liquidation of the disastrous result of protracted Japanese domination in Korea, there shall be set up a provisional Korean Democratic Government which shall take all necessary steps for developing the. industry, transport and agriculture of Korea and the national culture of the Korean people. Secondly.—ln order to assist the formation of a provisional Korean Government and with a view to preliminary elaboration of appropriate measures there shall be established a joint commission consisting of representatives of the United States Command in Southern Korea and _ the Soviet Command in Northern Korea. In preparing their propasals, the commission shall consult with Korean Democratic parties and social organisations. Recommendations worked out by the Commission shall be presented for consideration of the Governments of the U.S.S.R., China, America- and the United Kingdom prior to-final decision by the two Governments represented on the joint commission. Thirdly.—lt shall be the task of the joint commission, with the participation of the. provisional Korean Democratic Government and Korean Democratic organisations, to work out measures also for assisting the political, economic and social progress of the Korean people, the development of Democratic self-government and the establishment of national independence for Korea. The proposals of the joint commission shall be submitted, after consultation with the provisional Korean Government, for the joint consideration of the British, United States; Chinese and Russian Governments for working out an agreement concerning a Four-Power trusteeship of Korea for a period up to five years.

Fourthly.—For the consideration of urgent problems affecting both Southern and Northern Korea and for the elaboration of measures establishing permanent co-ordination in administrative and economic matters between the United States command and the Russian command, a conference of representatives of the Russian and American commands in Korea shall be convened within a period of a fortnight. SITUATION IN CHINA.

The three Foreign Secretaries exchanged views regarding the situation in China. They are in agreement as to the need for a unified Democratic China under a National Government, for broad participation by Democratic elements in all branches of national government and for the cessation of civil strife. They re-affirmed their adherence to the policy of non-interfer-ence in the internal affairs of China. M. Molotov and Mr Byrnes had several conversations concerning Russian and American Armed Forces in China. M. Molotov stated that Russian forces had disarmed and deported Japanese troops in Manchuria, but that the withdrawal of Russian forces had been postponed till February 1, 1946, at the Chinese Government’s request. Mr Byrnes said that the American forces were in North China at the Chinese Government’s request, and referred also to the primary responsibility of the United States in implementing the terms of surrender respecting the disarming and deportation of Japanese troops. He stated that the American forces would be withdrawn just as soon as their responsibility was discharged, or the Chinese Government was in a position to discharge its'/’responsibility without the assistance of American armed forces. Mr Byrnes and M. Molotov were in complete accord as to the desirability of the withdrawal of the Russian and American forces from China at the earliest practicable moment, consistent with the discharge of obligations and responsibilities. CHUNGKING, Dec. '27.

It is officially announced that China concurs with the agreement on procedure for the peace treaties which was reached at the Foreign Ministers’ conference.