August 28, 1950
S/S
The Secretary telephoned Secretary Johnson this afternoon. He mentioned a suggestion which Secretary Johnson had made last Thursday that General Magruder talk to John Allison about the Japanese Peace Treaty. Mr. Acheson said that since we have had so many other things come up during the last few days he felt this was a good idea although he had originally thought that it would be well for the two Secretaries, Mr. Harriman and General Bradley to get together to discuss the matter.
Mr. Johnson said that there was no real difference between us. It was just a question of putting it down on paper. He said that he believed that we could get together on the matter. Mr. Acheson said that he agreed and thought that we could work out something in the nature of a series of principles (similar to those in Paragraph 8 of the JCS paper). We could then get the NSC to discuss negotiation along the lines of those principles. Mr. Johnson made no particular comment but seemed to agree.
Mr. Acheson said that he would see that the Defense Establishment was notified of the foregoing through General Burns. He then said that he imagined General Burns would get the story from Secretary Johnson. While I don't think it absolutely essential, Mr. Matthews might mention this to General Burns during some conversation on other matters.
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