Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume I

Department of the Army Files

No. 591
Minutes¹ of a Meeting of the Committee of Three²

Washington, June 26, 1945, 9:30 a.m.

[Extract]

top secret

Minutes of Meeting of the Committee of Three Held Tuesday, June 26, 1945, at 9:30 am

Present:	Messrs. Henry L. Stimson, Secretary of War
	James V. Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy
	Joseph C. Grew, Acting Secretary of State
	Mr. John J. McCloy was present as Recorder.
	Major M. F. Correa was present at the invitation of the Committee.

The discussion continued on the subject of [a] warning to Japan and the Secretary of War read a draft of memorandum he had prepared for the President.³ A discussion of the effect of the proposed warning on world and domestic opinion followed. There was general agreement, however, that the tone of the proposed letter was about right and that though following the program suggested in the letter might not achieve the capitulation desired, it might do so, and it was thought that no harm would result from trying. It was pointed out that it might very well consolidate opinion for an out and out struggle if the Japanese did not respond and it might check in the U. S. a deterioration of will to complete the defeat of Japan, as it would make clear the necessity for fullest efforts if the Japanese did not accede.

It was left that a subcommittee of the State, War, and Navy Departments would attempt to draft the actual warning⁴ as well as any other papers that would be incidental to the delivery of such a warning.

Major Correa was designated by the Secretary of the Navy as the Navy representative, Mr. McCloy was appointed respresentative for the War Department, and Mr. Grew said that Mr. Dooman and Mr. Ballantine would act for the State Department.

. . . . . . .

1. By John J. McCloy, Assistant Secretary of War.
2. i. e., the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of the Navy, or their representatives.
3. Not printed. For the text of the memorandum on this subject which Stimson sent to Truman on July 2, see document No. 592 and enclosure 1 to that document.
4. For the text of the draft warning which Stimson submitted to Truman following study by the subcommittee, see enclosure 2 to document No. 592.