740.00119 European War 1939/2330
Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Stettinius) to the Secretary of State
Subject: Proposal of peace terms to the German people over the heads of the Nazi Government.
Mr. Secretary: There is a great deal of agitation of certain groups that before the actual invasion commences this Government should take every possible step in the direction of the surrender of Germany, and the suggestion is being made by certain organized groups that before the actual invasion starts a proposal be made to the German people as a whole over the heads of the Nazi Government.
I am not sympathetic personally with this point of view, but it is bound to be an active issue in the weeks to come.
I think it is important that you and the President have your views definitely crystallized on the matter because some day we might have to answer certain criticisms.