Control of Japan.

The Foreign Secretary, in reporting as in my telegram of to-day D.

No. 2277 [1] says that he has done his best at Moscow to secure
(a) Separate United Kingdom and Australian representation in the
Allied Council in Tokyo.

(b) Change in the proposed voting procedure in the Far Eastern
Commission so as to avoid one power veto, and
(c) Consultation on both sets of terms of reference with other
powers on the Far Eastern Commission.

2. He thinks it likely however that Mr. Byrnes and M. Molotov will
maintain their opposition on both points and he considers that
there is practically no chance of securing (a). If the United
States and Soviet opposition is maintained further insistence on
the part of United Kingdom would be incompatible with objective of
securing co-operation of the Soviet Government in Far Eastern
affairs and would result in the United Kingdom being blamed for
holding up an agreement which if not ideal would at least offer
hope of progress on co-operative lines.

3. If the Foreign Secretary is faced with this situation he
proposes to fall back on the principle of one British member of
the Allied Council representing jointly the United Kingdom,
Australia, New Zealand and India as those parts of British
Commonwealth whose forces are to participate in occupation of
Japan; he intends to press for continued inclusion of India in Far
Eastern Commission and subject to this being secured he would
agree to presentation of terms of reference as amended to the
other powers on Far Eastern Commission by United Kingdom, United
States, Soviet and Chinese Governments.

4. Cabinet have considered the position and reached the conclusion
that in circumstances Foreign Secretary's proposals represent most
satisfactory solution of question that is likely to be obtainable.