Office of the Historian

840.50 Recovery/6–2948: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Secretary of State

confidential
us urgent
niact
The Hague, June 29, 1948—4 p. m.

399. Reference Deptel 285,1 June 28, 8 p. m. Embassy has made every effort secure Dutch agreement inclusion Japan and southern Korea in exchange notes MFN with Netherlands. Foreign Office advises Colonial Ministry strongly opposed inclusion if excluded from UK and French agreements; matter of great practical significance NEI and they consider dangerous accord such treatment Japan in present circumstances and also wish to avoid further aggravation of feelings with authorities NEI at this time by Netherlands acceptance of such obligation.

Embassy stressed importance Department attaches to inclusion Japan, southern Korea Netherlands note notwithstanding omission UK and French agreements and informed Dutch it could not longer agree omission without reference back to Department. Embassy believes Dutch might accept inclusion Japan and southern Korea under strongest pressure but that it would cause great irritation in light of assurances concessions granted to some would be offered to all and would result considerable loss good will gained. Department’s instructions requested.2

Baruch
  1. In telegram 285 to the Netherlands, June 28, 1948, not printed, the Department urged that every effort be made to include Japan and Southern Korea in an exchange of notes despite their exclusion in the United Kingdom and French agreements. This telegram had been a confirmation of the Department’s circular telegram, June 26, 1948, 1 a. m., not printed, which had informed missions in OEEC countries that the Department was reluctantly omitting Japan and Southern Korea in the United Kingdom and French notes, but hoped that other states would not insist on such modifications in their Economic Cooperation Agreements. (840.50 Recovery/6–2848 and /6–2648)↩
  2. In telegram 289 to the Hague, June 29, 1948, not printed, the Department authorized the dropping of Japan and Southern Korea from the MFN note “provided that Neth Govt agrees discuss subject in FEC.” (840.50 Recovery/6–2948)↩