I have the honor to refer to your note, dated August 21, 1945, and
to its accompanying memorandum setting out the attitude of the
Australian Government concerning the surrender of Japan and
related matters. [1]

I immediately communicated with my Government from which I have
now received a communication in the following sense:

My Government reiterates its expression of its own full
appreciation of Australia's great contribution toward winning the
war and its own firm intention to give careful and friendly
consideration to all of the questions now under discussion. It
asks me to inform you as follows with respect to the four points
raised at the end of the reference memorandum:

(1) At the same time that the Australian Government was requested
to notify to General MacArthur the name of its representative at
the signing of the main act of surrender arrangements were
actually made for the representative to sign the note of
surrender;

(2) Complete arrangements with regard to the occupation forces for
Japan will not be finally decided upon until military operations
connected with the receiving of the surrender have been carried
out;

(3) Arrangements regarding control for Japan proper are still
under consideration and a further communication can be expected in
this connection;

(4) Matters coming before the Council of Foreign Ministers at
London, other than those which had been determined at the Berlin
Conference, should have the concurrence of all five Governments
represented on the Council.

Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

JOHN R. MINTER