Tokyo, November 20, 1958

No.32
Dear Mr. President
As I reported by cable Nos. MTB-053 of November 15, MTB-054 of November 17, and MTB-056 of November 19, respectively, the 8th session
of the Subcommittee on Other Claims Regarding Korean Art Objects, the 12th session of the Committee on Legal Status of Korean Residents in Japan, and the 20th session of the Subcommittee on Vessels were held at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 15, November 17, and November 19, 1954, respectively.
I. Subcommittee on Other Claims Regarding Korean Art Objects:
The Japanese side stated that it was not in a position yet to enter into substantial discussions, as the contemplated meeting of the higher anthorities including Promier Kishi to decide the basis policy regarding this matter and others of the Korea-Japan Talks had to be post-poned due to internal political difficulties in connection with the Japanese Diet proseedings
Reitersting our position regarding the return of art objects, our side reguested that the Japanese side should expedite the works of the Subcommittee by entering into substantial dissuasion at the earliest possible date
The Japanese side replied that it wished to have the decision of its basis policy at art objects made as soon as possible, following the settlement of the present internal political difficulties mentionde above.
II. Committee on Legal Status of Korean Residents in Japan:
At this meeting, the Japanese side put forth another series of questions regarding the meening and interpretation of various articles of our proposal. (The points of Japanese questions have been reported by my cable MTB-055 of November 18.)
Reserving our detailed reply to the above Japanese questions until the next meeting, our side requested the Japanese side to inform us of its official view on our proposal by putting an end to the discussions on abstract or technical questions as soon as possible. Our side continued that further questions on wordings, if any, should be made after the Committee entered into the article-by-artiole debate an our proposal.
As stated in Part 2 of my cable report MTB-055 above, early Government instructions in connection with the Japanese questions under reference would be highly appreciated.
III. Subcommittee on Vessels:
At this meeting, our side requested the Japanese side to give us a reply regarding our first list of 31 vessels submitted at the 18th session The Japanese side stated that, as both sides are of conflicting view regarding the legal basis at the Korean claim under Agenda A, it received the above list only for its reference. It continued that, as there would be named of discussions with discrepencies of views on the legal basis of Agenda item A, the Subcommittee proceed to discuse Agenda item B and then Agenda items C and D subsequently in order that a conclusive decision could be made on the overall problems at vessels after discussing all the four agenda items.
Strongly opposing to the above Japanese suggestion, our side reiterated our stand that the Subcommittee should settle the problem under Agenda A first and proceed to Agenda 8 only thereafter.
In the light of the above, this delegation views that there are two kinds of impasses in the course of talks at this Subcommittee; one, regarding the legal basis of Agenda A, and the other, regarding the method of proceeding this Subcommittee.
This delegation views that the only way to break the present deadlock at this Subcommittee would be to present our overall list of vessels failing within the scope of Agenda A to the Subcommittee and then to proceed to Agenda B with a view to expediting the proceeding of the Subcommittee. Government instructions in this regard would be highly appreciated.
With the sentiment of loyalty and esteem, I remain,

Most respectfully,
Ben C. Limb