FAR EAST POLICY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26040, 2 January 1946, Page 5

FAR EAST POLICY

CONTROL OF JAPAN ALLIED RESPONSIBILITY (Rec. 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 31. Continuing, Mr Byrnes said. “America has worked for conditions in the Far East that make for a lasting peace. Co-cperation with the Allies is an essential part of that policy. Although the United States sustained the major burden in crushing Japanese military power, we always consider the war against Japan as part of the war against the Axis. From the outset we planned to make control of Japan an Allied responsibility. As early as August 20, 1945, America invited the Soviet, Great Britain, and China to join m carrying out the objectives of the Potsdam declaration, and the surrender terms for Japan and the Far Eastern Advisory Commission were established in October. But Great Britain had reservations regarding the rontrol machinery in Tokio before joining the work of the Far Eastern Advisory Commission. Constitution of Commission “The three Governments at Moscow, with China's concurrence, agreed on a Far Eastern commission consisting of the Soviet, Great Britain, China, France. India, the United States, the Netherlands East Indies, Auslrana, New Zealand, Canada and the Philippines to formulate the principles governing control of Japan. The three Governments also agreed, with the concurrence of China, on the establishment of an Allied council for Japan composed of representatives of the Soviet, the British Commonwealth, China, and the United States under the chairmanship of the supreme commander which will advise and consult with him in carrying out the surrender terms. If disagreement arises m the council on implementation of the Far Eastern Commission decisions on matters affecting the control of Japan as set out in the surrender terms —fundamental changes in the constitutional structure or the Japanese Government as a whole—the supreme commander will withhold action pending clarification by the Far Eastern commission. The proposals offered fay America regarding Japan made it clear that we intend to co-operate with our Allies. We expect their co-operation, but at thfe same time our agreement safeguards the efficient administration established in Japan under General MacArthur. It assures that General MacArthur’s authority will not be obstructed by the inability of the Far Eastern commission to agree on policies or by the inability of the Allied council to agree upon methods of carrying them out. Administration of Korea

“ The administration of Korea has been a trying problem since the Japanese surrender, the continuation of geographical divisions for the purpose of the military occupation of Korea has been unsatisfactory. Under tne Moscow agreement, two military commands will form a joint SovietAmerican commission to solve immediate economic and administrative problems and will make recommendations for the formation of a Korean provisional democratic Government. The commission will also make proposals to the four-Power trusteeship to prepare Korea for independence within five years. The commission is working with the Provisional National Government and in any trusteeship for Korea, but a China divided by civil strife will be unable to take her rightful place. “ It was agreed at Moscow that the cessation of civil strife and a broad participation throughout the National Government of democratic elements are necessary to a unified, peaceful democratic China, Mr Byrnes concluded, and the three Governments reaffirmed their adherence to a policy of noninterference in the internal affairs of China. At the request of the Soviet, the British-American proposal for the establishment by the United Nations of a commission on atomic energy and related matters was placed at the end of the agenda. Discussions on this proposal were limited. We did not discuss technical or scientific matters, nor were we asked by the Soviet about the new weapon.”