740.00119 PW/8–1745
Memorandum by Brigadier General George A. Lincoln of the War
Department to the Assistant Secretary of State
(Dunn)
Washington, 17 August,
1945.
General Hull9
has discussed the matter of a suitable reply to the Japanese on
their latest message with the Chief of Staff10 and also with the Navy. They are in
agreement that a suitable reply is substantially as that in the
attached draft,11 which is the same as the one discussed
yesterday in General Hull’s office. As discussed yesterday, the
War and Navy Departments are agreed that requests of the kind in
this Japanese message should hereafter be addressed to the
Supreme Commander.
[Page 671]
For your information, there is enclosed a copy of General
MacArthur’s message on the subject. You will note the extremely
high classification of his message.
[Annex]
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur to the Chief of
Staff (Marshall)
[Manila,] 17 August,
1945.
The Secret terms proposed by the Japanese are fundamentally
violative of the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration and
would completely traverse the previous attitude not only of
the Allied Nations but of Japan herself in her initial
successes and conquests of this war. The incidents of Bataan
and Singapore are still fresh in the minds of the World. The
enemy suggestion goes even to the point of preferential
repatriative treatment of Japanese soldiers. The suggested
ameliorations would relieve Japan of much of the physical
and psychological burdens of defeat. I believe that public
opinion throughout the Allied world would not support
favorable consideration of these stipulations. In my opinion
the Potsdam provisions should be put into effect as drawn
and the suggestions made by the Japanese Government should
be rejected. In China I believe the stipulations made by the
Generalissimo as to the details of the surrender should be
supported by the Allies.
