840.50/2481a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley)
743. Reference Department’s no. 724, August 21, 2 p.m.3 The Department wishes you to take whatever steps you consider appropriate and wise to endeavor to secure the Soviet Government’s early acceptance of the proposed changes in the draft agreement on relief and rehabilitation. Parenthetically, you are advised Litvinov is fully informed regarding the problems faced by the four Governments in developing the draft of May 15.
The Department is hopeful that the Soviet Government will act on these changes at an early date. The objective now is to sign the agreement and launch the United Nations organization around the first of November but it is considered necessary to give governments 6 weeks notice of the proposed date and responses must be received from the Soviet, British and Chinese Governments before this notice can be given.
When you find opportunities to discuss this matter with appropriate officials of the Soviet Government you can stress the hope of this Government that each of the other three great Powers will be able to accept all of the changes so that this Government can be in a position promptly to propose the signature of that text by all governments, without further negotiation. This Government is of the opinion that the proposed changes are in the nature of an improvement of the text and that they will aid in securing the full cooperation of all governments in the projected organization. This Government is also of the opinion that the proposed changes do not modify the essential powers or procedures of the organization substantially; this is particularly true of the powers of the Central Committee, which have been modified in various minor respects but which remain unchanged in all essential respects, without any change in the composition of the Committee.
[Page 987]The Department is informed that the Soviet Embassy here has already telegraphed the full text of the proposed changes to the Soviet Government. For your information the following are the principal changes proposed in the draft of May 15:
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If the Soviet Government is particularly concerned regarding any of the suggested changes, please inform the Department promptly so that you can be given a full explanation to place before that Government.
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