Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The British Commonwealth, Eastern Europe, the Far East, Volume III

033.4111 Eden, Anthony/10b: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in the United Kingdom (Matthews)

Washington, April 1, 1943.

2019. The following telegram for the personal and confidential information of our Ambassador to the U.S.S.R.⁵⁹ is repeated for your personal and confidential information:

“Mr. Eden left today⁶⁰ for Canada on his way home after a visit of about 2 weeks. You are authorized to convey the following information to the Soviet Government:

The conversations Mr. Eden had here with the President and high officials of this Government provided an exchange of views with regard to such matters as cooperation between the Governments with respect to political questions arising in connection with the prosecution of the war, particularly in enemy territories and territories occupied by the enemy, and methods of insuring discussion and coordination of policies in connection with such military operations especially where the armed forces of the United States and Great Britain have a joint responsibility. As a specific instance, the necessity for coordination of policy as to political developments was applied to the present North African situation.

These discussions brought out very clearly the fact that nothing could be more detrimental to the common war effort than the support by Great Britain and the United States of different political factions or groups in the areas in which British and American military operations are being carried on or are in contemplation.

The conversations also provided an occasion for an exchange of ideas in the most tentative form without any commitments whatever with regard to the general lines along which world security should be organized.

Reference was made also to the forthcoming food conference⁶¹ and the suggestion that this conference would very likely be followed by others on various subjects. In passing, mention was also made of some of the problems which will be necessary to face after the war such as civil aviation and shipping and the assistance which would have to be given to some of the countries in order to restore the tonnage lost by them during the war.

Another subject which came up for discussion in the most general way was the preparation of Colonial territories and dependent peoples for eventual responsibility of self-government.

You may inform the Soviet Government that while there was a full and frank exchange of views during these conversations, they were on the most general lines and that no attempt was made to formulate any decisions or agreements and no commitments whatever were taken by either Government.”

Hull

59. Adm. William H. Standley.
60. Mr. Eden left March 30; there was an apparent delay in sending this telegram after it was drafted.
61. For correspondence on the United Nations Conference on Food and Agriculture held at Hot Springs, Va., May 18–June 3, 1943, see vol. i, pp. 820 ff.