DAILY SUMMARY - 1946/04/30

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Daily Summary Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 01068501
• Document Creation Date: September 11, 2018

Approved for Release: 2018/09/05 CO1068501
APPROVED FOR RELEASE - Historical Programs Staff - 30 August 2018
CONFMT/41/
GENERAL
80 APR
1. Rice procurement in Siam obstructed b British policies--The Hoover
ssion reports that a British policies in Siam during the past six
months have had a "most adverse" effect on rice procurement for
India; and (b) the British and Indian Government press in India are
placing responsibility for the critical situation on the US. Hoover
suggests that the US (a) "make clear just where responsibility lies;"
and (b) consider discontinuing its food activities in Siam, unless the
British agree promptly to correct their policies.
Acting Secretary of State Acheson has instructed Embassy
London to reiterate to the British the need for immediate action. The
US has no intention of withdrawing from Siam, he states.
2. British defense a reement for Pacific not expected now--Embassy
London haibien informed that a comprehensive Commonwealth Defense
Agreement for the Pacific will not be reached at the Conference of
Commonwealth Prime Ministers. The current talkie in London are con-
cerned with the general problems posed for Commonwealth defense by
the latest developments in warfare. The Dominions are reported willing
to undertake substantial new responsibilities.
3. Ethiopian Emperor objects t2....2.022AtqlEiLtr2aL. --Emperor
Haile Selassie has told Minister Cole that the proposal of a ten year
trusteeship for Eritrea, prior to independence, would "do violence to
racial and historical facts" and "profoundly shock Eritreans and Ethio-
pians' He assumes that the proposal was made to avoid "certain ten-
dencies likely to result from the partition of Italian colonies among the
powers" but .insists that Eritrea's return to Ethiopia would be a much
better safeguard than a regime "in which such influences would actually
be represented on the advisory commission." The Department of State
suggests that Secretary Byrnes give careful consideration to possible
repercussions in Africa and the Near East before reaching a final deci-
sion on the disposition of former Italian colonies.
4. War Department's views on Soviet base's in eastern Euro e--The War
epartment has given the US military representative at the meeting of
Foreign Ministers in Paris the following views on reported Soviet efforts
64
Document No.
NO CHANGE CHANGE in Class. 0
DECLASSIFIED
Class. CHANCED TD: TS S
DDA Memo, 4 Apr 77
DDA REG . 77 1763
MAR 1978 By: 0 ti
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SEC
ID
AIN/
to obtain military bases in states bordering on the USSR: (a) no means
of limiting the privileges which Communist peripheral states might
grant to the Soviets apparently exists except to include in the peace
treaties specific limitations on Soviet occupation and communication
troops (see Daily Summa.rk of 18 April, item 3); (b) US insistence on
most-favored-nation treatment in regard to military bases in these
countries would enable the Soviets to demand similar rights in such
countries as Iceland, Italy and Japan; and (c) US opposition to the devel-
opment by the Soviets of bases through the formation of a regional
defense arrangement with periphery states would be inconsistent with
the US western hemisphere regional system which also involves the
exchange of base rights,
5. Soviet naval tanker sails for US a a/pp_:_.ejL_tlvy. jithout clearance--Assist-
ant Naval Attache Vladivostok reports that the Soviet Navy auxiliary
tanker TAGANROG departed Petropavlosk 24 April for Los Angeles,
Where it is due 5 May. The Navy Department has notified the State
Department that, so far as is known, the USSR has not obtained diplo-
matic clearance from the US for the entry of this naval vessel into a
US port.
EUROPE-AFRICA
6. ITALY: US and UK views ozIpLigpli_L:s--The US and UK con-
sider that King Emmanuel need not consult with other artnistice signa-
tories regarding his abdication. The UK in addition plans to inform the
King that (a) there is no objection to his abdicating whenever he wishes,
(b) he will not be allowed to reside in territory under the jurisdiction
of the UK and (c) his desire to reside in Egypt is regarded as "unfortu-
nate because of wartime difficulties with Italians there."
7. AUSTRIA: Clark urges militar reassume suoplya.iei22nsil_21.jitLe�z-
General Clark has urged that supply responsibilities be turned back to
the military until UNRRA has adequate supplies (see Daily Summary of
25 April, item 9) in order to: (a) avoid a starvation ration for the US
zone, (b) reduce the possibility of disorders, and (c) enable him to force
the Soviets to move food into Vienna.
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IN.:41
8. AUSTRIA: Withdrawal of Soviet forces�General Clark reports that,
according to "reliable Austrian officials, the Soviets are planning a
large-scale withdrawal of troops from Austria. He adds that the with-
drawal may be a cover and deception plan. US Political Advisor Erhardt
comments that such a withdrawal would merely indicate a change in
Soviet policy_ from military to long-range economic and political domi-
nation.
9. UNITED KINGDOM: French reauest for wheat loan to be re'ected�
Caffery has been informed by the British Embassy, Paris, that the
British have decided to refuse the French request for a loan of 150,000
tons of wheat.
FAR EAST
10. INDIA: State De artment issues instructions for ais. lo.ammations--
The State Department has instructed Mission New Delhi to "press
strongly" for early conclusion with the Indian Government of (a) an air
transport agreement, (b) most-favored-nation treatment for US civil
aircraft, (c) an aviation facilities service agreement and (d) military
air transit rights. The US desires military rights at Karachi, Agra,
and Dum Dum and limited military rights at Barrackpore and Kharagpur.
The Department believes it inadvisable to ask "just now" for military
rights beyond the period required (a) to serve US occupation forces in
the Far East and (b) to return US personnel from or through the Far
East or Near and Middle East. Terms of the Indian lend-lease settle-
ment will depend upon the conclusion of the desired air agreements.
THE AMERICAS
11. BOLIVIA: Political situati2n again tej.at--Charge Adam in La Paz
and the FBI report that Bolivia again is in a "state of very great ten-
sion." Several army officers have been arrested and the road between
the airport and La Paz has been closed to all traffic. Adam believes
that three independent movements are plotting to oust President Villar-
roel.
Approved for Release: 2018/09/05 CO1068501