Moscow Embassy Files, Lot F–96
The Chargé in the Soviet Union ( Hamilton ) to the Soviet Peopled Commissar for Foreign Affairs ( Molotov )
My Dear Mr. Molotov: I am setting forth herewith a secret and personal message dated October 4, 1943, to Marshal Stalin from President Roosevelt which I have received this afternoon:
“Personal and secret to Marshal Stalin from President Roosevelt. Your wire44 has reached me and our delegation will be in Moscow on October 15th. While I do not consider this conference as one to plan or recommend military strategy, I have no objection to and would welcome the widest exchange of views of your proposal relating to an expedition directed against France.
“General Deane,45 who is to be a member of our mission, will be informed fully of our plans and intentions.
“That this is a three power conference and that any discussion on our proposal should be limited to the future intentions and plans of these three powers exclusively is agreeable to me. This would, of course, in no way preclude a wider participation at some later date and under circumstances which would be mutually acceptable to our three governments.
“I am sure that we are going to find a meeting of minds for the important decisions which must finally be made by us. And so this preliminary conference will explore the ground, and if difficulties develop at the meeting of our Foreign Ministers, I would still have every hope that they can be reconciled when you and Mr. Churchill and I meet.
“It appears that the American and British armies should enter Rome in another few weeks.”
I would appreciate it if you would transmit this message to Marshal Stalin.46
Sincerely yours,