Editorial note

As Churchill occupied guest quarters in the White House during his stay in Washington in September 1943, he had many unscheduled and informal discussions with Roosevelt, none of which were made a matter of record by the President. These discussions, however, are known to have touched on the following subjects in addition to the subjects treated in the minutes and notes printed in this section:

1.
Approval of two joint messages to Stalin. See post, pp. 1262, 1283.
2.
The drafting of Roosevelt’s message to Stalin of September 4, 1943. See post, pp. 1303 ff.
3.
The approval of several joint messages to Eisenhower. See post, pp. 1261, 1268, 1275.
4.
Churchill’s idea (which he had explored privately in correspondence with Stalin following the First Quebec Conference) that the French be added to the politico-military commission which Stalin had proposed. See post, p. 1306.
5.
Approval of a declaration on gas warfare. See post, p. 1254.
6.
Anglo-American interchange of atomic energy information. See post, pp. 1210, 1310.
7.
Release of information on anti-submarine warfare in August. See post, pp. 1300 ff.
8.
Publication of minutes of the Council of Four during the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. See post, p. 1334.
9.
India. See Pawle, pp. 246–247.

Roosevelt also indicated to Hull on September 7, 1943, that he wished to talk over with Churchill a letter of September 1 to the Editor of the New York Times signed by Gerard Swope which proposed the dismemberment of Germany, disruption of the Prussian military caste, United Nations control of German heavy industry, and use of compulsory labor from the demobilized German army to rebuild homes and factories in countries which had suffered from German aggression. Roosevelt asked for Hull’s comments (740.00119 Control (Germany)/9–743). These comments were not forwarded to Roosevelt until after Churchill’s departure from the United States, and no indication has been found in Department of State files that the Swope letter was in fact discussed by Roosevelt and Churchill.

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Churchill was absent from Washington for several days to receive an honorary degree from Harvard University on September 6. Roosevelt left Washington for Hyde Park on September 9, but minutes and notes are included in this section of Churchill’s meetings and discussions with other United States officials on September 9, 10, and 11.

For Churchill’s discussions with Roosevelt at Hyde Park on September 12, see post, pp. 1336 ff.