Following my report on 19th April, Council meeting A.C.J.4 [2],
may I make some personal reflections on developments of the
situation here. I feel that my primary problem as B.C.O.M. [3]
member of the Council is to find a way in which I can continue to
give expression to the fundamental unity of interests between the
United States and B.C.O.M. and at the same time maintain the
proper position and dignity of the Council.

I recognize the importance of avoiding any statement or action
which might be interpreted as an impairment of B.C.O.M.-United
States unity. I assume that B.C.O.M. should be reluctant to take
any action which might suggest failure to recognize the major part
played by the United States in the defeat of Japan. Since Japan is
only one section of the world and if the United States co-operates
fully with B.C.O.M. on other major international questions, it
might be decided that B.C.O.M. should in return refrain from any
statement which might be construed as critical of SCAP's conduct
of occupation even when our judgement dissents from his rulings.

Yet every happening here since my arrival points practically in
one direction-the determination of SCAP to ignore the Council's
terms of reference [4] and give it an extremely subordinate place
in the Allied Organisation in Japan. The conduct of SCAP
representatives at the Council meetings has appeared to be
directed towards making the Council the object of ridicule and
contempt.

To any one not himself present at these meetings it would be hard
to convey a full impression of the ill mannered arrogance of
General Whitney who has taken part in two meetings as SCAP
representative.

General Whitney has been requested to attend by General Marquat,
Deputy Chairman for SCAP. It is difficult to know if SCAP policy
is due to hostility towards the Council as such or to what appears
to be a fanatic hostility to the Russian member. in whatever
proportions these emotions may be blended the result is the same :

direct affront to the position and intelligence of members of the
Council; an explicit denial of powers which the terms of reference
give to the Council. Perhaps more serious in the long view than
the immediate effect of this on the future work of the Council is
the effect it may have on the four powers represented.

At the first three meetings of the Council, the Russian member has
behaved with unbroken courtesy, dignity and restraint. SCAP
[representatives have taken the offensive against] [5] him without
provocation. One unfortunate result of this is that I have several
times been forced to support the Russian member because I wanted
to support the U.S.S.R. but to preserve the dignity of the
Council. If meetings of the Council are continued in the very
happy atmosphere of the opening sessions they will tend to foment
ill will rather than co-operation between SCAP and other members.

If it is necessary in view of the total world situation for us to
haul down our flag in Japan, I feel that we should at the same
time remove the flag pole. If each meeting is to be used by SCAP
as an opportunity for a public demonstration of contempt for the
Council and hostility towards Russia it is better to avoid Council
meetings. Looking at this situation from Tokyo [and without the]
knowledge to weigh it against broadly related situations elsewhere
I feel that it is important for the B.C.O.M. member to be
instructed to press effectively and firmly that the Council must
be granted in fact the position given to it in the terms of
reference and I believe that such a statement may be supported by
Russia and China.

The next meeting is 30th April and I await your instructions.