740.0011 EW/7–345
No. 179
Memorandum by the Director of European Affairs
(Matthews)
[Washington,] July 3, 1945.
Memorandum of Conversation
| Participants: |
Mr. John
Balfour, British Minister Counselor; |
|
Mr. H.
Freeman Matthews, Director, Office of European
Affairs. |
Mr. Balfour called at his request,
accompanied by Mr. Nevile Butler,
whom I had not seen since leaving Malta last February. Mr. Balfour left with me the attached Aide-Mémoire containing a revision of the British
suggestions for topics to be discussed at the forthcoming Berlin
meeting. He likewise left with me the attached comments on the various
items proposed. In addition to the latter, he said that the Foreign
Office hoped that if the United States were in agreement, we might “take
the lead” in presenting points 5 (a), (c) and (f), as well as
point 3 (b). Mr. Balfour also asked if we could give some indication of
our views with regard to the British suggestions and also an indication
of who will be accompanying the President and Secretary of State.
I told Mr. Balfour that I could not
of course comment upon the British list until the President and the new
Secretary of State had had an opportunity to study the papers which we
had tentatively prepared in the Department. I said, however, that as far
as the thinking on my level was concerned, the British list of suggested
topics in general ran somewhat parallel to our own thoughts. I remarked,
however, on the omission of any item dealing with the situation in the
Far East. I added that I noted that a number of the items on the
original list had already become obsolete and their elimination was
consequently in accord with our own thinking. I said that I would be
glad to report our conversation to the Secretary and hoped to be able to
communicate with him further in the near future.
[Attachment 1]
Aide-Mémoire
On the 29th May His Majesty’s Minister sent to the Under Secretary of
State a list of subjects suggested by His Majesty’s Government in
the United Kingdom for discussion at the next meeting of
[Page 207]
Heads of Government.1 Additional suggestions were made in
Mr. Balfour’s letter to Mr.
Grew of June 1st2 and the
Ambassador’s letter to Mr. Grew of June 29th.3
His Majesty’s Government have been considering the agenda in the
light of developments since the first draft was presented and the
enclosure to the Aide-Mémoire contains a
revised list. This list has been drawn up in the form considered
suitable for possible communication to the Soviet Government.
Washington,
July 3rd,
1945.
[Subattachment]
Revised List of Suggested Topics4
1. General.
-
a)
- Question of procedure for a general European
settlement.
-
b)
- Application of the Yalta Declaration on liberated Europe.6
-
c)
- Permission for representatives of the press to function freely
in countries of Eastern Europe.
-
d)
- War Crimes.
2. Poland.
3. Germany.
-
a)
- Polish western frontier. Status of Polish administration in
former German territory.
-
b)
- Transfer of German populations from Poland and
Czechoslovakia.
-
c)
- Exchange of views about the setting up of a central German
administration in Berlin to coordinate transport, etc.; future
German Government.
-
d)
- Attitude towards political parties and activities.
-
e)
- Treatment of Germany as an economic whole.
-
f)
- Coordination of propaganda and information services to
Germany.
4. Italy.
Conclusion of a Peace Treaty.
5. Balkans.
-
a)
- Internal situation in ex-satellite countries, with particular
reference to the form of governments which have been set
up.
-
b)
- Question of eventual peace treaties with these
countries.
-
c)
- The status of British and American representatives on the
Control Commissions pending conclusion of peace treaties.
-
d)
- Removal of industrial equipment, especially in Roumania, under
the guise of booty.
-
e)
- Situation in Yugoslavia
and implementation of the Tito-Šubašić agreement.6
-
f)
- The assurance of free elections in all Balkan
countries.
6. Turkey.
-
a)
- Russo-Turkish relations.
-
b)
- Modification of the Montreux Convention.7
7. Iran.
Question of the mutual withdrawal of troops.
[Attachment 2]
British Comment on Their Proposed
Agenda8
- 1.
- Under Item 1 a) it would be possible to
discuss such questions as the holding of a Peace Conference, the
future of the European Advisory Commission and permanent
machinery for dealing with problems of countries in Allied
occupation. We do not propose to discuss at the meeting the
details of actual settlement, frontiers, etc. Item b) (application of the Yalta Declaration
on Liberated Europe) may be largely covered by discussions under
Item 5 a) and f);
The former Item 9 c) (transfer of German
population from Poland and Czechoslovakia) has now been included
in the German paragraph which seems a better place for it. Item
1 d) (War Crimes) is new and may perhaps
prove unnecessary in view of the talks now proceeding in
London.
- 2.
- Poland has been retained in the list in case problems are
outstanding or are thrown up by the negotiations now proceeding
in Moscow.
- 3.
- Of the questions listed under 3 we think that a) and b) should
certainly be discussed. The Americans may wish to take the
initiative as regards b), since they have
already raised this matter with us. Items c) to f) all come within the
sphere of the Allied Control Commission. We are enquiring of the
British element of the Control Commission whether they think it
would be useful to exchange views on some or all of them at the
forthcoming meeting. There are further German topics which might
come up but which we ourselves
[Page 209]
do not propose to raise. These include 1)
disposal of German merchant ships; 2) the future of German
industry; 3) reparations; 4) disposal of Russian and Polish
displaced persons in Germany. While it will not be possible to
avoid discussion of 4) if the Russians raise it we would take
the line that the first three are a matter for Reparation
Commission and not suitable for discussion at meeting. We would
not propose ourselves to raise the question of the composition
of a new Austrian Government at the meeting.
- 4.
- As regards 4) our idea would be to inform the Russians in
general terms of our intention to conclude a treaty of peace
with Italy and to express
hope that they will agree. We do not consider that re-definition
of our policy and interests in Italy need be discussed at present with the
Soviet Government, though we should welcome an opportunity for
an exchange of views with members of the United States
delegation, if this could be arranged, in London after the
meeting.
- 5.
- Under 5, Item f) would afford an
opportunity of discussing elections in Greece and possibly Albania if that were thought
desirable.
- 6.
- As regards 6 we think the Straits question will inevitably
have to be discussed at Terminal in
view of the recent exchanges between the Russian and Turkish
governments on their general relations.
- 7.
- In addition to the subjects mentioned, our delegation will be
briefed on a number of subjects which we ourselves do not intend
to raise but which we are prepared to discuss if the Soviet
delegation bring them up. These will include, besides those
mentioned under 3 above, the proposals for arming European
allies, the disposal of the Italian fleet, Venezia Giulia, Greek
internal affairs, Albania, a special régime regarding entrances
to the Baltic, the Levantine question, the Russian attitude
towards Switzerland, and Tangier.
