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

Leahy Papers: Telegram

No. 9
President Truman to Prime Minister Churchill ¹

[Washington,] 14 May 1945.

39. Your numbers 44 and 46.²

Thank you for your estimate of the future situation in Europe as outlined in your No. 44. From the present point of view it is impossible to make a conjecture as to what the Soviet may do when Germany is under the small forces of occupation and the great part of such armies as we can maintain are fighting in the Orient against Japan.

I am in full agreement with you that an early tripartite meeting is necessary to come to an understanding with Russia.

A report from our Embassies in Moscow seems necessary before we can approach a decision on the time or place for the meeting.

I have talked with Mr. Eden today³ and I shall make every practicable effort to so arrange my affairs here as to permit an early meeting somewhere.

. . . . . . .

1. Presumably sent to the United States Naval Attaché, London, via Navy channels.
2. Documents Nos. 6 and 7, respectively.
3. See document No. 8.