Your telegrams on Japanese Settlement incomplete and difficult to
decipher. However, the following course of action is indicated:

'A'
1. The time of the meeting is quite impracticable because of the
British Commonwealth Conference at Canberra on 26th August already
announced.

2. I entirely accept the general idea that eleven countries
represented on F.E.C. should take part in the preliminary stage of
the Japanese Peace Conference, without prejudice to questions of
representation, voting, etc.

3. Such preliminary stage should certainly be held during the
present year. This is strictly in accordance with what we have
frequently advocated.

'B'

In order to implement the above practical steps might be as
follows:

1. Meeting of representatives of the eleven Governments should
constitute the first stage of the Japanese Peace Settlement.

2. Insistence that each Government be free to appoint its
representatives on the highest level. This is necessary in
principle because there cannot possibly be expert or deputy or
committee system until bodies are properly established, and until
principles and directions for them have been decided at the
highest level.

3. Subsequently, the committees may undertake enquiries and
investigations, bring back reports to the Peace Conference proper.

4. Positive suggestions, therefore, are:

(a) Welcoming in principle of the present move by the United
States with the reminder that it accords with our publicly
expressed desire for early settlement for Japan.

(b) Emphasis on confusion of thought springing, no doubt, from the
Council of Foreign Ministers' procedure, and which has led to the
thought that Deputy or Committee system could be started without
prior meeting at the highest Governmental level.

(c) Suggestion of short initial meeting of the eleven Governments
immediately prior to or after the Assembly meeting.

(d) Insistence that 19th August is utterly impracticable date as
the United States State Department must well have known. It is
surprising and disappointing that this was not pointed out by the
Ambassador himself immediately he heard of the idea and
instructions to Washington should, therefore, be very explicit.

'C'
My ideas seem to be in substantial accordance with your telegram
No. 1 of 13th July, except that your suggestion is for short
initial session immediately prior to the Assembly.