Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Tracy S. Voorhes of the Defense Department, and Others

TOP SECRE 6223 affair E. 274 DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation Conf 325 DATE: Dec. 15, 1949 ARCHIVES 'NATIONAL AND RECORDS SERVICE" SUBJECT: Japanese Peace Treaty PARTICIPANTS: Mr. Tracy S. Voorhees, Dept. of Defense, The Secretary, The Under Secretary, Mr. Jessup, s/A, Mr. Butterworth, FE, Mr. Humelsine, s/s, Mr. Metzger, L/E, Mr. Howard, S. COPIES TO: FE - Mr. Butterworth L - Mr. Fisher s/s - Mr. Humelsine 1-1493 The purpose of the meeting was for Mr. Voorhees to report on the re- sults of his trip to Tokyo to consult with General MacArthur on the security aspects of a possible Japanese peace treaty. The meeting was a follow-up on a meeting between the Secretary and Mr. Voorhees on this subject prior to Mr. Voorhees' departure for Japan. Mr. Voorhees first complained about leaks concerning the nature of his trip to Japan which he believed could have come only from the State Department. He also expressed his concern over a speech by Mr. Allison which was given publicity in the Nippon Times. He repeated his earlier request to Mr. Webb that all possible measures be taken to prevent leaks and that public state ments of policy be given him in advance to clear with General MacArthur, The Secretary indicated that he is asked several times every week by newsmen whether he still regards the Japanese peace treaty as an urgent matter, that he always replies in the same affirmative manner, and that Mr. Allison's speech (which preceded the date of Mr. Voorhees understanding with Mr. Webb concerning public statements) merely followed along this general policy line. Mr. Voorhees also complained that the State Department had communicated directly with Mr. Sebald requesting the views of General MacArthur concerning the non-security clauses of the treaty and requested that in the future any communication to Mr. Sebald, seeking not his own personal views, but the views of General MacArthur, should be sent to the Department of Defense for transmi ssion DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and S(D) or (E) -15-75 Dept. of State letter, Aug 9,1973 By NLT- HC NARS Date 4.29.76 TOP SECRET