Your telegram 12th April No. 171. [1] Allied Council for Japan,
paragraph 2, your subsection (a). At the outset and until position
is clearer we should prefer Mr. Ball to request instructions in
all cases.

2. Your subsection (b). We are disturbed by the suggestion that
the role of the British Representative should be to mediate
between the Soviet and United States point of view in Japan. Our
collaboration with the Americans in other parts of the world
(e.g., at this juncture in the Middle East and at forthcoming
meeting of foreign ministers) is of such outstanding importance
that we are not prepared to be committed in advance to a general
policy of mediation in Japan. This might well fail to achieve its
purpose in Japan and, at the same time, cause friction with the
United States Government. We request that you will point this out
to Mr. Ball for his guidance and emphasise the importance which we
attach to it.

3. Your subsection (c). We agree.

4. The foregoing is being repeated to the Government of India. [2]