(Department's 396, March 28, 3 p. m.). He states Chinese Government has no objection to proposed visit and that Gmo, whom he consulted, expressed hope Koreans would go as such visit would develop interest in Far Eastern situation and in promise Korean independence. United States Army authorities are indifferent to matter but have no objection to trip, indicating they would be governed by Embassy's recommendations. David Young (Young So Buck), who states he is member of Korean Independence Party, called at Embassy April 7 to show two telegrams March 27 and 28 from Syngman Rhee to Tjo So-wang (Provisional Government Foreign Minister) regarding proposed visit and to give list of following Koreans who will compose group for trip: Tjo Sowang, David Young, Choi Sojung (Mrs. David Young), Lim Yitack and Colonel Choy Yongduck (said to be head of Korean Army but not known to Embassy). First four are said by Young to be members of Independence Party while political affiliation of Colonel Choy not known. Mr. and Mrs. Young wish to take two children, four and six. Korean Congress, which began session October 9 last year (Embassy's despatch 1815, November 15 ), still meeting with deadlock in vote said to have been reached on Cabinet changes and revision of Provisional Constitution to allow for more representative Congress. National Revolutionary [Party] reportedly supported by younger members Independence Party but changes blocked by older members latter group. In view apparent continued lack of unity and seeming intention Independence Party to monopolize selection of group for proposed visit as representatives Provisional Government, it might be desirable to suggest inclusion in group of Revolutionary Party members. Members both parties reluctant to discuss Congress meetings since information proposed visit as [has?] reached them. Independence Party member Congress March 25 was bitterly critical of his party as responsible for deadlock and expressed belief situation had reached impasse but Kim Kiu-sik (Revolutionary Party head and Provisional Government Minister) stated April 6 there was hope of reaching some compromise agreement on differences between two parties, thus giving possible indication of Korean reaction to news of proposed trip. GAUSS 'Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, President of the National Government of the Republic of China. "Not printed; it reported that the Korean National Revolutionary Party had demanded equal representation in the Cabinet with the Korean Independence Party and revision of the provisional constitution to allow election of Congressional delegates at large by all Koreans in free China rather than proportional representation of all Korean provinces (895.01/300). [For memorandum of April 18, 1944, giving the views of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs on "The Status of Korea", see page 1232. For policy planning papers PWC 124a, 125, and 126 submitted to the War Department on May 15, 1944, dealing with the establishment of a provisional government in Korea and with the composition of forces. and the utilization of Japanese technical personnel during occupation of Korea and under a military government, see pages 1239, 1224 and 1228.] 895.01/333: Telegram The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State CHUNGKING, April 26, 1944-4 p. m. [Received April 26-10:17 a. m.] 733. Central News Agency despatch April 25 reports reelection of Kim Koo as President of Korean Provisional Government April 24. Under revised organic law passed same day Kim Kiusic elected Vice President and total of 14 members said to represent all Korean political parties were elected to new government, including Tjo So-wang and General Kim Yak-san.5 Further details will be reported when available. GAUSS 895.01/338 The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State No. 2583 CHUNGKING, May 19, 1944. [Received June 2.] SIR: Referring to the Embassy's despatch No. 2561 of May 15, 1944, in regard to the Korean Provisional Government and the projected trip by a Korean group to the United States, I have the honor to enclose a copy of a memorandum of my conversation on May 16, 1944,8 with Tjosowang, "Minister for Foreign Affairs" of the Korean "Provisional Government" and head of the Korean Independence Party, and Shen Yi-hsi, described by Tjosowang as "Minister of the Interior" of the Korean "Provisional Government". (Mr. Shen is 5 Secretary-General of the National Revolutionary Party. Despatch 2561, May 15, from Chungking, reported that the State Political Council designated on April 24 consisted of nine members of the Korean Independence Party, five of the National Revolutionary Party, one of the Korean Emancipation [Communist] Party and one of the Korean Anarchist Alliance; also that the Cabinet designated by the Council on May 9 consisted of five members of the Korean Independence Party, two of the National Revolutionary Party, and one non-party member (895.01/337). 7 Not printed; but for summary, see footnote 6, above. "Not printed. also reported by the Chinese press as having been elected to that post although other Korean sources had earlier said that Wang Hai-kung was the new "Minister of the Interior".) Summary. In reply to Mr. Tjosowang's inquiry regarding the American attitude toward Korean independence and recognition of the Korean Provisional Government, I informed him that the American attitude toward Korean independence had been made known in the Cairo Conference Declaration and that, while I had seen no official comment on the phrase "in due course" contained in that Declaration, my personal reaction was that the military phase of expelling the Japanese from Korea must come first, followed by preparation for civil government and in due course independence. With reference to the question of "recognition" of the Korean Provisional Government, I replied that I had no instructions from my Government but that my personal view was that the "Korean Provisional Government" was not a Government in exile, such as the Governments of Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands, but rather a Korean independence movement and that the question of "recognition" is not a matter of moment to the United Nations or to those constituting the "Provisional Government" or independence movement. Mr. Tjosowang intimated that recognition was a matter of great importance to the "Provisional Government" in that by receiving "recognition" the "Government" expects to gain "authority" and wishes to receive financial and lend-lease aid from the Allies. He went on to explain, by implication, the Korean dissatisfaction with the Chinese Government and the former's desire to be freed from the dependence upon the Chinese which now exists. The trend of his remarks indicated the strong Korean desire to gain Allied financial assistance. I reminded Mr. Tjosowang that the Korean movement was functioning on Chinese soil and that the Koreans had much to do in their own inter-factional relations and in their relations with the Chinese Government before they can expect to receive attentive consideration of any of their requests by the United Nations. In reply to his question in regard to his projected visit to the United States and the possibility of his being received by President Roosevelt and Secretary Hull, I informed Mr. Tjosowang that we had heard of the proposed visit from Washington, that while the Embassy had no objections to the trip authorization for visas must come from Washington and that no assurance could be given that he would be able to see either the President or Mr. Hull. I pointed out that no one yet seemed to know Made by President Roosevelt, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, and British Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill; released by the White House December 1, 1943. For text, see Foreign Relations, The Conferences at Cairo and Tehran, 1943, p. 448. what or whom the group proposing to go to the United States represented. I made clear to the Korean representatives that my replies to their questions (which were direct and pointed) were my personal reactions and not those of my Government. End of Summary. Respectfully yours, 895.01/340: Telegram C. E. GAUSS The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State CHUNGKING, June 3, 1944-5 p. m. [Received June 3-11:15 a. m.] 969. Information Minister 10 is quoted by Ta Kung Pao as stating May 28 at Sino-Korean Cultural Association tea for new members Korean Provisional Government "China must be the first nation to recognize" Korean Provisional Government as both KMT 11 and Chinese people favor such action. Sun Fo 12 also quoted as saying at same function he hoped "Allies would recognize New Korean Government as early as possible". Koreans apparently making determined effort obtain recognition as evidenced by Korean submission to Kuomintang CEC 13 during session in late May of appeal for Chinese recognition of "Provisional Government". Appeal pointed out that China should be first to extend recognition as action would further strengthen China's right to speak for "oppressed people of Asia". Korean representative here has shown to Embassy officer document asking for United States assistance in obtaining recognition which Koreans wish to present to Vice President 14 upon his arrival. Chinese may have purposely given impetus to this Korean action and Information Minister's statement may have been made to indicate to Koreans that failure of Allied Nations to recognize "Provisional Government" not Chinese fault. Otherwise, this public statement difficult to explain as it does not seem likely that China would unilaterally extend recognition without prior consultation with her Allies. GAUSS 10 Liang Han-chao. "Kuomintang (Nationalist Party of China). 12 President of the Chinese Legislative Yuan. 13 Central Executive Committee. 14 Henry A. Wallace. For correspondence on his mission to China, see vol. VI, pp. 216 ff. Despatch 2727, June 29, from Chungking, reported: "It did not prove feasible for the Vice President to see representatives of the 'Korean Provisional Government' while he was here, and although the letter addressed to him by that 'Government'. . . was handed to Mr. Wallace, it is doubtful if, in the press of his visit, he was able to give it very close attention." (895.01/6-2944) 895.01/340: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss) WASHINGTON, June 12, 1944-9 p. m. 813. The views and opinions which you expressed to the Korean "Foreign Minister" (your despatch no. 2583, dated May 19, 1944) have the full approval of the Department. In view of the statement. in your telegram no. 969 June 3, 5 p.m., that Koreans plan to approach the Vice President on the subject of recognition, please acquaint him with the contents of your despatch, but point out to him that your comments regarding the Chinese role in Korean affairs do not imply that this Government would not deplore recognition of a Korean Government by China without full prior consultation with us. If the Vice President so desires, he might, if approached by Koreans, emphasize the importance of unity among the various Korean groups. The Department would be interested to learn what action if any was taken by CEC in response to the appeal for Chinese recognition of the "Korean Provisional Government" reported in your telegram no. 969 and would appreciate information regarding any further indications such as the speech of the Information Minister that the Chinese Government is considering such recognition.15 In the circumstances of the Cairo Declaration it would seem that the Chinese would hardly be likely to act in the matter of Korean recognition without prior consultation with the parties to that instrument but you may consider it desirable to seek occasion informally to discuss the Korean situation with Chinese officialdom and in the course of your discussion to endeavor to ascertain what the intentions of the Chinese Government are. It is also suggested that at your discretion you approach the Soviet Embassy informally and unofficially in an endeavor to ascertain the opinion of that Embassy in regard to recent developments in Korean circles in Chungking and the relations of those circles with the Chinese Government. HULL 895.01/6-2144 The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State No. 2708 CHUNGKING, June 21, 1944.. [Received July 11.] SIR: I have the honor to enclose two covers, the first addressed to the President of the United States by one Koo Kim, styling himself 15 Despatch 2727, June 29, from Chungking, reported that an Embassy officer had been advised by the Minister of Information in the Korean Provisional Government (Yen) that the Central Executive Committee had neither discussed the matter of Chinese recognition of the Provisional Government nor made any reply to its appeal (895.01/6–2944). |