1. May I recall the circumstances of my appointment to this post
in February, 1946 and your talk with me here in May, 1946. [1]

2. I have tried to carry out faithfully all instructions. The work
in this post has not been easy.

3. Some weeks before Doctor Evatt's arrival I found some
difficulty in obeying his instructions immediately and literally.

I felt from my [2] of the situation here that it might not be
opportune to make personal appeals to MacArthur in the literal
terms of my instructions. For example I felt it impolitic to
appeal to MacArthur personally within a period of a few days-
(a) to issue a special invitation to Doctor Evatt to visit Japan,
(b) to make a statement favourable to Dr. Evatt in connection with
this visit,
(c) to provide air transport from Australia for Dr. Evatt,
(d) to cancel projected Antarctic whaling expedition,
(e) to earmark a group of Japanese whaling vessels for Australia.

4. I telegraphed Dr. Evatt my feeling in case he should desire to
modify his instructions. I learnt a few days later from Colonel
Bunker, General MacArthur's Aide-de-Camp, that MacArthur was very
concerned about a direct request he had received from Dr. Evatt
for air transport. I felt very upset about the general situation
and telegraphed Dr. Evatt that I wished to resign immediately. I
received a reply from Dr. Burton accepting full personal
responsibility for the misunderstanding and asking me to remain
here. I agreed to stay at least until the end of Dr. Evatt's
visit.

5. Since his arrival here I believe that Dr. Evatt has taken a
line very damaging to Australia's reputation.

6. I believe the impression has been created in Tokyo that he has
repudiated the line I have been taking here during the last 16
months.

7. I think it not necessary to elaborate in this telegram.

8. I have told Dr. Evatt that I can not in any circumstances
continue to work under him since in my view this would be
inconsistent with the maintenance of the minimum professional
self-respect. Dr. Evatt has told me that I have been disobedient
and disloyal.

9. I have told Dr. Evatt that I am prepared to maintain a social
front until his departure, that if he desires me to carry on
administration of this Mission for some weeks until my replacement
is arranged, I am prepared to do so.

10. I hope to return to Australia by ship during August.

11. I shall at present make no public statement about my
resignation.

12. I should be grateful for a personal acknowledgment of this
telegram.