Your 1055. [1]

1. Our telegram 1509 [2] emphasises our need for cyclotrons by way
of reparations from Japan.

2. In addition on November 8th, Army authorities were instructed
to inform Australian Scientific Mission to Japan that we required
cyclotrons with a view to reparations. [3] On receipt your
telegram, we requested Army to signal Supreme Commander with a
view to preserving any remaining cyclotrons and other equipment
which Scientific Mission desires to investigate for reparations
purposes. [4]

3. We think you should immediately inquire from State Department
whether press reports of destruction of cyclotrons are true. If
practicable, suggest Supreme Commander should be instructed to
preserve all scientific and industrial equipment in which
Australia and other Pacific allies may be interested for
reparations. We have asked Ballard to enquire into circumstances
of reported destruction and to take all possible steps to retrieve
situation.

4. You might also represent appropriately to the State Department:

(a) our deep interest as a major belligerent in the Pacific war in
preserving our right to reparations from Japan;

(b) our concern with the action of United States military
authorities in destroying cyclotrons (if reports are true) should
have been taken before any opportunity had been given to the
Australian Government to express its reparations interest in such
material. You could mention that by arrangement with the Supreme
Commander, the advance party of Australian Scientific Mission
arrived in Tokyo in mid-November and was instructed to investigate
possibilities of securing cyclotron and scientific equipment as
part of Australian reparations claims;

(c) our desire for fullest possible consultation through our
Political Observer to Military Mission and the Scientific Mission
in Tokyo regarding disposition of all scientific and industrial
equipment, bullion and other goods which might have reparations
value. We should like to know to what extent any such material has
already been removed from Japan by the United States authorities.

[5]