My telegram D. No. 1412. [1]

The following message from the United States Secretary of State
was delivered tonight by the United States Ambassador.

Begins:

1. This Government proposes that a reply as quoted in paragraph 3
be made to the Japanese Government's acceptance of the Potsdam
Proclamation.

2. In order that hostilities may be terminated and further loss of
life be prevented, this Government hopes that the British
Government will associate itself with this Government in making an
early reply as quoted in paragraph 3.

3. With regard to the Japanese Government's message accepting the
terms of the Potsdam proclamation, but containing the statement
'with the understanding that the said declaration does not
comprise any demand which prejudices the prerogatives of His
Majesty as a Sovereign ruler' our position is as follows:

'From the moment of surrender the authority of Emperor and the
Japanese Government to rule the state shall be subject to the
Supreme Commander of the Allied powers who will take such steps as
he deems proper to effectuate the surrender terms. The Emperor and
the Japanese High Command will be required to sign the surrender
terms necessary to carry out the provisions of the Potsdam
declaration to issue orders to all the armed forces of Japan to
cease hostilities and to surrender their arms and to issue such
other orders as the Supreme Commander may require to give effect
to the surrender terms. Immediately upon the surrender, the
Japanese Government shall transport prisoners of war and civilian
internees to places of safety as directed, where they can quickly
be placed aboard Allied transports. The ultimate form of
government of Japan shall, in accordance with the Potsdam
declaration, be established by the freely expressed will of the
Japanese people. The armed forces of the Allied powers will remain
in Japan until the purposes set forth in the Potsdam declaration
are achieved.'
End of the United States Note.

The following reply has been given to the United States
Ambassador: Begins:-

We have examined your draft. While agreeing in principle, we
desire to make certain amendments on the ground that we doubt if
it is wise to ask the Emperor personally to sign the surrender
terms and therefore, we would suggest the following:-

'The Emperor shall authorise and ensure the signature by the
Government of Japan and the Japanese General Headquarters of the
surrender terms necessary to carry out the provisions of the
Potsdam declaration and shall issue his commands to all the
Japanese military, naval and air authorities and to all the forces
under their control wherever located, to cease active operations
and to surrender their arms, etc. (as in your draft).'
This is in keeping with clause 13 of the Potsdam declaration. [2]
This, we believe, also will secure the immediate surrender of the
Japanese in all outlying areas and thereby save American, British
and Allied lives. We presume that if we are in accord on these
terms we should get the agreement of General Stalin and General
Chiang Kai Shek.

Reply ends.

We trust you will agree.