Tokyo, May 29, 1958

No.09
Dear Mr. President:
The second session of the Committee on Korean Claims was held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 27, as scheduled, at the Japanese Foreign Office. At this session our side proposed that the two Sub-committees (on Vessels and on Claims) start their work immediately with a view to reaching an early solution to respective problems.
To our great surprise, the Japanese aide stated that, while it had no objection to starting the Vessels Sub-committee immediately, it considered it necessary to decide on the method of discussing the matter on Korean art objects.
Our side immediately countered such contention, saying that at previous plenary sessions it was already decided to discuss the art object matter within the Sub. committee on Claims and the Japanese contention just mentioned was illogical and was not understandable. After an exchange of arguments at the Committee session, it was decided to settle the difference by naming a representative from each side, thus Counselor Choi and Mr. Takano were named respectively.
The two representatives set at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday (May 28) to discuss on the above point. Our side pointed out to the Japanese that their view was contrary to the agreement reached previously at plenary sessions, for Mr. Sawada at that time did not have any objection to our proposal to take up the matter on our art objects at, the Sub-committee on Claims, thus strongly demanding that the Japanese side confirm such plenary session decision.
Separately, Minister Yiu met Asian bureau Director Itagaki yesterday (May 28) morning to discuss this matter, stressing that our aide hardly understood the reasons why the Japanese side newly maintained such a Hew and urged him to withdraw such contention.
In addition, Mr. Lee ho and myself visited Chief Japanese Delegate Sawada yesterday afternoon at Kayu Kaikan (Japanese Foreign office Club) in order to make the Japanese side withdraw its contention made at the Committee session Tuesday. Mr. Sawada, comprehending our position, stated that he agreed that it was more logical to discuss the matter on our art objects within the Claims Subcommittee and so, would name Director Itagaki as another Chief Member in charge of the matter within the said Sub-committee.
At the request of the Japanese Counselor Choi and First Secretary Chin called on Mr. Takano at 2:30 this afternoon and it was arranged that the Japanese aids confirm again at today's Committee session that the matter concerning our art objects would be taken up at the Sub-committee on Claims and Mr. Itagaki be named additionally as Chief Japanese Member in charge of this matter. In response, our aide told the Japanese side that it would designate Min. Yiu additionally as our Chief Member, inasmuch as he had been handling the issue since the Korea-Japan Working Committee.
At the third Committee (on Korean Claims) session at 3:00 this afternoon the above arrangements were formally confirmed. Namely, Mr. Yiu will be in charge of art objects, while Mr. shoji in charge of other claims, both within the framework of the Sub-committee on Claims. Also, Mr. Itagaki will be in charge of art objects, while Mr. Shoji in charge of other claims for the Japanese side. In other words, the Japanese side has finally come to our terms that the matter concerning our art objects be taken up first at the Sub-committee on Claims.
Accordingly, the lists of members for both sides were exchanged at today's session, after which it was also decided that the first meetings of the Sub-committees on Claims and Vessels be held at 3:00 p.m., on June 4 and 6, respectively.
With sentiments of loyalty and esteem, I remain,

Most respectfully,
Ben C. Limb

Enclosures:
Letter from Sawada and copy of my reply Lists of members