Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, General; the British Commonwealth; the Far East, Volume I

740.0011 European War 1939/18038

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State

[Washington,] December 29, 1941.

Ambassador Litvinov called at my request. The President had on Saturday³³ handed to him a copy of a proposed Joint Declaration (copy attached) for all countries at war against Japan, Germany and Italy to sign, (with Japan excepted as to Russia), to be sent by the Ambassador to his Government for its approval. The Ambassador handed me the amendments to the Declaration submitted by his Government (copy attached). The Ambassador seemed a little surprised when I stated that the proposed declaration had not been delivered to any other country for signature pending the action of Russia. He then handed to me at my request a copy of a separate declaration (copy attached)³⁴ which Russia had planned to make upon the possible assumption that the joint declaration was already in circulation among other countries for signature. After some informal discussion I indicated to the Ambassador that my tentative view was that the amendments were unobjectionable with the possible exception of the proposed amendment of the final paragraph which would strike out the words “towards the defeat of members or adherents of the Tripartite Pact” and insert “and contributions in the struggle for victory over Hitlerism”. I said that while this Government was engaged during past months in an effort to handle the Japanese situation pending fuller preparations of the United States, Great Britain, Australia and the Netherlands East Indies to defend themselves against the Japanese military movement, the President and others of us had not mentioned Japan in summing up on Hitler’s efforts at world conquest and that, therefore, it would be almost impossible for us to omit Japan from the document, should Hitler be mentioned. The Ambassador said it was the other way around with his Government—that Hitlerism stood for Naziism, Fascism and Nipponism. I said that we must undertake to work the matter out in some way that would be mutually satisfactory, and that I was sure that it could be done. The Ambassador seemed to feel the same way about it. He thereupon left with the understanding that I would give the matter further attention and I would see the Ambassador later after consulting with the President on the suggested amendments.

C[ordell] H[ull]

[Annex 1]

Draft Joint Declaration by the United States of America, China, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Poland, South Africa, and Yugoslavia³⁵

The Governments signatory hereto,

Having subscribed to a common program of purposes and principles embodied in the Joint Declaration of the President of the United States of America and the Prime Minister of Great Britain dated August 14, 1941, known as the Atlantic Charter,

Being convinced that complete victory over their enemies is essential to defend life, liberty, independence and religious freedom, and to preserve human rights and justice not only in their own lands but everywhere, and that they are now engaged in a common struggle against savage and brutal forces seeking to subjugate the world, Declare:

(1) Each Government pledges itself to employ its full resources, military or economic, against those members of the Tripartite Pact and its adherents with which such government is at war.

(2) Each Government pledges itself to cooperate with the other Governments signatory hereto; and to continue war against, and not to make a separate armistice or peace with the common enemies or any of them.

The foregoing declaration may be adhered to by other nations which are, or which may be, rendering material assistance and contributions towards the defeat of members or adherents of the Tripartite Pact.

[Annex 2]

Amendments by the Soviet Union to the Proposed Joint Declaration

Preamble: … “in their own lands as well as in other lands, …” instead of “… not only in their own lands, but everywhere.”

(2) “Each government pledges itself to cooperate with the governments signatory hereto and not to make a separate armistice or peace with the enemies …” instead of the original text.

Final Para: “… and contributions in the struggle for victory over Hitlerism,” instead of “… and contributions towards the defeat of members, etc.”

33. December 27.
34. Not printed.
35. Marginal note: “OK F.D.R.”