740.00119 European War 1939/1330
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
Foreign Minister Eden called at his request. The discussion that followed was more general than otherwise and covered in this general manner all parts of the world. Russia was discussed in relation to her position, especially as regards the European situation and, to a certain extent, the world situation.
The question of Germany and her relation to the situation generally was discussed somewhat in detail, with special reference to the question of whether Germany should be dismembered at the end of the war. Mr. Eden was inclined to the latter view. I said that I had been giving attention to as many of the opposing views on this question as had been possible, with the idea thus far of not expressing a final opinion, adding that this subject should be given lengthy and most deliberate consideration, especially since there is time in which to do so. I stated that I did not mean to imply by this that it should be delayed to an extent that might prove embarrassing in the event of a sudden ending of the war, which of course is not at all probable at this time. (Later in the day both viewpoints were again discussed with Mr. Norman Davis24 present and participating.)
The general exploratory conversations of today and yesterday with Mr. Eden and Ambassador Halifax are considered of value at this stage. They indicate fairly definitely the course that each Government would have the world take after the war. There was general agreement or approximate agreement with respect to these general phases.
- Member of the Advisory Committee on Postwar Foreign Policy.↩