Memorandum from Secretary of War Robert Patterson to President Harry S. Truman, with Attached Note

December 17, 1946 a "MATIONAL ARCHIVES AND NECORDS is SERVICE" Mr. President: The situation in Korea is daily becoming more critical. Our troops have been in Korea since September, 1945. But still our Commanding General has been unable to bring about a functioning Korean government in the South. Of course, the desirable thing would be to come to an agreement with Russia to the end that both Russian and American troops withdraw from Korea immediately after a government is set up by the Koreans to govern the whole country. This could be accom- plished by a national election supervised by United Nations representative. Failing such an agreement a wholly elected legislature (not one partly appointed by the Commanding General) should be set up in South Korea, an exchange rate agreed upon and that part of Korea now occupied by American forces opened to trade. The American Commanding General has been endeavoring to bring about a coalition government of all political parties including the Communists. The Koreans do not want Communism. In the recent voting no Communists were elected in South Korea. It would, therefore, seem advisable to encourage a government according to accepted democratic principles. General Lerch, Military Governor, tried persistently to have the Representative Democratic Council of South Korea legalized and made a genuine governing body instead of an advisory council. General Hodge refused to approve this plan and recently caused to be created a legislative body of ninety, half of whose members were elected, the other half appointed by himself. At the first meeting a majority of the elected men absented themselves in protest against the appointments of General Hodge. The Moscow Conference on Korea removed the political situation from General MacArthur's orbit of influence. It should be returned to his control. General MacArthur has not been in Korea. A visit from him would be of inestimatible benefit in encouraging a stable representative government. A report from General MacArthur regarding the situation and possibilities in Southern Korea with his recommendations would be a great help to you in determining the United States policy in this unfortunate country.