Office of the Historian

740.0011 EW/1–2745: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State (Grew) to the Secretary of State

[Excerpts]
top secret
[Washington,] February 3 [4], 1945.1

Telegram to the Secretary of State from the Acting Secretary.

1. . . . (This is message no. 13.)

2. . . . Winant has informed the Soviet representative on EAC of our acceptance in principle of the five French proposals regarding French participation in the surrender, occupation and control of Germany.2 The Soviet representative stated appreciation of our advance notice and is endeavoring to obtain early instructions from his government. Winant has also informed the Soviet and British representatives on the Commission of American approval of the protocol on German zones of occupation. . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4. Associated Nations. . . .

Medina in Venezuela somewhat taken aback by President’s letter3 but appreciates the situation and will consult Cabinet and reply to us promptly. . . .

5. Poland. We are repeating to the President a message to him from Prime Minister Arciszewski4 which contains the following [Page 952] major points: It is hoped that no decisions will be taken in present conversations which might jeopardize legitimate Polish rights or Polish independence. The President is requested to urge on the Soviet Government that they should give some proof of their genuine desire for an understanding with Poland and should also take steps to prevent the destruction of the Polish home army and the Polish underground by the “so-called Provisional Government of Lublin.”

  1. The text of this message in the Defense Files bears the date February 4, which is the date under which it was transmitted.↩
  2. For the five French proposals, see ante, p. 293.↩
  3. Not printed, but see ante, pp. 794, 797.↩
  4. Supra.↩