740.0011 Moscow/10–3043
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
| Participants: | The Secretary |
| Mr. Anthony Eden | |
| Sir Archibald Clark Kerr | |
| Mr. W. A. Harriman |
Mr. Eden called on the Secretary and told him that he had expressed forcibly his disappointment at not having received a favorable reply [Page 674] in response to the Soviet request for Italian vessels, and that he had just received a reply indicating that the Prime Minister was favorable to the request although there were certain technical difficulties, including the question of repairs.
The British would be unwilling to give the Russians one of the Littorio Class battleships but would be willing to give them one of the less modern ones. The Littorio Class would be of value in the Pacific.
Mr. Eden hoped that the President also would express his sympathy with the Soviet request. Mr. Hull explained that he intended to discuss the matter and urge it on the President on his return to Washington.
The question of the postponement of the meeting of the President and the Prime Minister for a few days in order that the Secretary might have time to meet the President before his departure was discussed. Mr. Eden agreed to cable the Prime Minister asking his concurrence and incidentally [to give?] Eden more time to do certain business which he had in mind on his way back and still have sufficient opportunity not only to talk over Conference affairs with the Prime Minister but also to become familiar with affairs at home to enable him to take over his responsibilities in leading the House.
The question of the meeting of the three heads of state was also discussed, and the military conference beforehand. Mr. Eden said he would urge the Prime Minister to invite the Soviet military to attend this conference.