740.00119 PW/12–1345

The Secretary of State to the Netherlands Ambassador (Loudon)

The Secretary of State presents his compliments to His Excellency the Netherlands Ambassador and with reference to his note number 8406 of December 13, 1945,71 has the honor to inform the Ambassador that on the basis of consultation between the Governments of the United States, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom and China it has been decided to destroy all combat vessels of the Japanese fleet with the exception of destroyers and surface vessels of lesser tonnage. Destroyers and surface vessels of lesser tonnage [Page 1013] will be divided equally among the United States, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom and China.

This decision does not, of course, include Allied naval vessels captured by the Japanese, which will be handled in accordance with general restitution policies. It is suggested that as a preliminary step the Netherland liaison officer in Tokyo approach the headquarters of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers with a view to locating and identifying any former Netherlands warships now under the control of the Supreme Commander.

  1. Not printed.