740.0011 Moscow/10–2143
Oral Statement by Secretary Hull Regarding the Proposed Joint Declaration
We have made a few changes in the proposed Joint Declaration which I shall undertake briefly to explain. These changes occur in paragraphs 1 and 7 with a new paragraph numbered 9. The changes and the additional paragraph have been underscored for your convenience.
The changes in the paragraph numbered 1 are designed to make it clear that the Declaration is to apply only with respect to the countries with which each of the four Powers are at war, that is to say, each Government declares that their united action, pledged for the prosecution of the war, against their respective enemies, will be continued on a similar basis for the organization and maintenance of peace and security is to take place only as regards countries with which each of the four Powers is at war. In other words, neither the Soviet Union nor any of the other signatories would be obliged to join in any action toward a Power with which it is not now at war.
Paragraph numbered 7, as originally drafted, is in the nature of a self-denying ordinance. Its purpose was to show that the four Powers did not have in mind the use of their military forces in territories of other countries, except for the purposes envisaged in the Declaration and after joint consultation and agreement. The principal purposes envisaged in the Declaration have to do with (1) the surrender and disarmament of the enemy, (2) the occupation of enemy territory and of territory of States under enemy control, (3) the taking of measures to provide against violation of requirements imposed upon the enemy and (4) the maintenance of international peace and security. Paragraph 7 has, therefore, been qualified by the statement that following the defeat of the enemy the four Powers will not employ their military forces within the territories of other States, [Page 602] et cetera. The reasons for this qualification will be apparent when it is considered that an undertaking not to employ the military forces within the territory of other States, except for the purposes envisaged in the Declaration and after joint consultation and agreement, might conceivably interfere with ordinary military operations. In other words, the self-denying ordinance or declaration in paragraph 7 would come into operation only after defeat of the enemy.
Paragraph numbered 9, which is entirely new, is designed more clearly to show that the Declaration is not to prejudice the relationship between the respective four Powers and other nations with which the respective Powers are not at war.
It is the feeling of the United States that the four Powers that are making the greatest contribution toward the defeat of their enemies and the enemies of smaller Powers should now declare their purpose to see to it that those enemies shall observe the conditions of surrender and shall not again bring upon the world the ravages of war and that they should act together in their own interest and in the interest of the community of nations at least until a general system of security shall have been established.