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

Truman Papers

Thompson Minutes

Postdam, July 19, 1945, 11 a.m.

top secret

Mr. Eden in the Chair stated his understanding that the Agenda for today included—

(1) German political questions, on which there was a revised draft;

(2) Poland; and

(3) German Economic Problems.

Mr. Eden stated that before consideration of the agenda, he understood that Mr. Byrnes had a point to make on the paper concerning the Council of Foreign Ministers.²

Mr. Molotov at this point asked whether he could add to the agenda.

Reconsideration of Paper on Council of Foreign Ministers

Mr. Byrnes stated that he wished to move reconsideration of the language of the paper on the Council of Foreign Ministers. He referred to the members charged with duties under section 3 and specifically to the language restricting membership to governments signatory to the terms of surrender. He pointed out that some governments were at war but were not signatory to the armistice terms and asked that the drafting committee on this subject be instructed to reconcile points of view on this phase of the matter.

Mr. Molotov inquired whether paragraph 3 was referred to and stated that it was not quite clear to him what question was involved.

Mr. Byrnes pointed out that France, for example, was at war with Italy but was not signatory to the armistice terms³ and asked whether she would be permitted to participate in discussions regarding Italy.

Mr. Molotov replied that he believed that she would.

Mr. Byrnes stated that under the present language of this paper he did not believe that a state in such a situation could participate.

Mr. Molotov asked whether the change would provide only for Italy.

Mr. Byrnes replied that if Russia, for example, were at war with a country but was not a signatory to the armistice terms, Russia should not be excluded.

Mr. Molotov then asked specifically whether France should take part in the formulation of the peace treaty with Rumania.

Mr. Byrnes stated his belief that if France were not at war with any country she would be present during any discussions but would not necessarily participate in the decisions.

Mr. Molotov then moved that Mr. Byrnes’ motion be accepted.

Mr. Eden stated general agreement and asked Mr. Molotov what subjects he wished to add to the agenda.

German Fleet and Merchant Marine

Mr. Molotov stated that he had a draft on the German fleet and merchant marine which he wished his colleagues to study. He stated that the draft would be ready in 10–15 minutes.⁴

Consideration of the Agenda

Mr. Eden then brought the meeting back to the agenda and stated that the drafting committee on German political questions had a revised draft ready for presentation. He asked Mr. [Sir William] Strang to present it.

Mr. Strang explained in some detail various changes made by the drafting committee in the text of this paper. (See Attachment 1⁵)

In paragraph 1 [2] (i) the word “demilitarization” was added after the word “disarmament” in order to bring this section in line with the declaration issued in Berlin on June 5.⁶ Subparagraph (a) immediately after subparagraph (i) was altered to accord with EAC recommendations.⁷ Subparagraph (b) was altered by the deletion of the word “seize” and the substitution of the phrase “held at the disposal of the Allies”, since most seizures had already been made.

Mr. Molotov then thanked the drafting committee for its work, and was followed by Mr. Eden and Mr. Byrnes.

Mr. Byrnes moved that the text be approved and this was agreed to.

Poland

Mr. Eden stated that the next item on the agenda was Poland. He added that the Prime Minister during the meeting on July 18 had promised to produce the text of a possible proposal.⁸

Mr. Eden stated gratitude to the Generalissimo for his understanding of British difficulties even though their purposes were the same.

The British Delegation had produced the text of a draft proposal and had attempted a Russian translation, which was only in manuscript form. This proposal⁹ was delivered to the delegates and there was an interim period for consideration of it during which Mr. Molotov distributed copies of the Russian proposal.¹⁰

After a brief period Mr. Eden again called the meeting to order.

Mr. Molotov stated that the Russian Delegation had no objection to the first paragraph of the proposal. There was, however, some question about paragraph 2. The title [paragraph?] began “The British and U. S. Governments express their willingness.” This was not considered urgent enough and some expression of the need for immediacy was needed.

Mr. Eden stated that he wished to say that a telegram had come giving information on this subject. The British have done more than the Prime Minister was able to indicate during the July 18 session of the Heads of Governments.¹¹ The British Government had taken under control the whole machinery of the former Polish Government, which was being liquidated rapidly. A Treasury committee has assumed full control of all Polish finances. All Polish ministries have been closed and diplomatic privileges have been withdrawn. All properties except the Polish Embassy have been taken by the British Government and all work not connected with the liquidation of the former Polish Government has been stopped. All recruiting for Polish armed forces has been stopped and the War Office is now supervising the activities of the Polish General Staff. Polish ships are under charter to the United Kingdom, which desires to discuss this question with the Warsaw government. Much has been done and is being done.

Mr. Molotov then pointed out that since there is no representative of Poland here, it is impossible for the Soviet Delegation to speak for them. The principal question is to prevent the London Government from transferring assets and properties to private persons.

Mr. Eden stated that he was able to give absolute assurances on this point.

Mr. Molotov then pointed out that the law governing these matters was recent and that many transfers might have taken place in the past.

Mr. Eden replied that British action had been taken from the moment that recognition was accorded to the Warsaw government. The British Government is now awaiting the arrival of a representative of the Polish Provisional Government in London in order that immediate discussions can begin.

Mr. Molotov again raised the question of immediacy.

Mr. Eden replied that discussions could not be begun with persons who are absent.

Mr. Molotov then stated that he only wanted a statement stressing immediacy.

Mr. Eden expressed the belief that such statement could be made and Mr. Byrnes agreed.

Mr. Byrnes then mentioned the fact that an attempt had been made to transfer the Polish Embassy property in Washington but that this had been stopped and the Embassy had been vacated and was now at the disposal of the Warsaw Government.

Mr. Molotov then raised the matter of stocks, assets, and property and asked whether the sentence from the Russian proposal forbidding such transfers¹² could be used.

Mr. Eden replied that he would consider a phrase noting that steps had been taken.

Mr. Molotov then questioned practice in other countries, specifically mentioning Norway.

Mr. Eden then agreed that a drafting committee might be appointed in order to try to find words which would meet Mr. Molotov’s wishes and asked whether there were any other points in the draft to which the Soviet Delegation took exception.

Mr. Molotov inquired concerning the debts of the London Polish Government and asked for an indication of the totals.

Mr. Byrnes replied that he was unable to give a definite answer on this point and pointed out that the statement in paragraph 2 concerning discussions which would take place on these matters apparently met Mr. Molotov’s point.

Mr. Eden noted that the draft paper only suggests that discussions embrace this question and does not ask the Polish Provisional Government to accept a liability in advance.

Mr. Byrnes suggested that the matter be referred to a committee to reconcile differences in language, and Mr. Molotov agreed.

Mr. Eden felt that the meeting should hear more about remaining points first.

Mr. Molotov then stated that the last words in paragraph 3 regarding the assurance of a livelihood carried an implication which no country could guarantee.

Mr. Eden suggested the words “personal freedom and security.”

Mr. Molotov suggested the inclusion of the words “without discrimination.”

Mr. Molotov then asked whether the Crimea text¹³ could not be used in the last paragraph and suggested that this point and other differences be left to the drafting committee.

Mr. Byrnes and Mr. Eden agreed.

Mr. Byrnes appointed Mr. Harriman and Mr. Bohlen to serve on the drafting committee.

Mr. Eden appointed Ambassador Clark Kerr and Mr. Allen.

Mr. Molotov appointed Mr. Vyshinski and Mr. Golunski.

Mr. Eden asked whether it was possible that a draft would be ready for the meeting this afternoon.

Mr. Molotov stated that he would prefer to have the question discussed on July 20 since the matter should not be hurried.

Mr. Byrnes then suggested that an effort be made to get a draft today, but if this was not possible it be held over until tomorrow.

Mr. Molotov agreed.

German Economic Problems

Mr. Eden stated that the next item on the agenda was the consideration of German economic problems but that he understood that the drafting committee had no report ready since it had not been possible to meet yesterday. Therefore, neither this meeting nor the meeting of the Heads of States could consider this question today.

Mr. Eden then suggested consideration of an agenda for the meeting of the Heads of States.

Mr. Molotov asked that other matters be discussed first. These included the disposition of the German fleet and merchant marine, and Spain. A Russian proposal on Spain was distributed at this point. (See attachment 2¹⁴).

Mr. Eden inquired concerning the disposition of these two matters.

Mr. Byrnes stated that he saw no reason why these two subjects should not be put on the agenda for discussion today by the Heads of States.

Mr. Eden stated that it was impossible for him to discuss the German fleet without consultation with naval authorities, who were not now present.

Mr. Byrnes reiterated his belief that both questions should be discussed by the Heads of States. He also suggested that the President’s paper on the implementation of the Yalta agreement¹⁵ come up for consideration this afternoon.

Mr. Eden remarked that the President’s paper dealt only with the Balkans and asked for permission to add two items on the British agenda. These are: one paper on Yugoslavia¹⁶ and one on Rumania.¹⁷

Mr. Byrnes agreed that these questions should be added and if not reached on the agenda today should go over until tomorrow.

Mr. Molotov stated that he had no objection.

Agenda for Meeting of Heads of States

Mr. Eden then recapitulated the items agreed upon for discussion by the Heads of States on the afternoon of July 19. These were:

1. Agreed text on political control of Germany;

2. Poland;

3. The German fleet and merchant marine;

4. Spain;

5. Implementation of the Yalta Declaration;

6. Yugoslavia;

7. Rumania.

Mr. Molotov asked whether there were any drafts available on items 6 and 7.

Mr. Eden promised them by this afternoon.

Mr. Eden, after asking whether there was anything else to come before the meeting, then declared the meeting adjourned.

2. Document No. 712, post.
3. France signed neither the armistice with Italy concluded at Fairfield Camp, Sicily, September 3, 1943, nor the instrument of surrender signed at Malta, September 29, 1943. For texts, see Treaties and Other International Acts Series No. 1604; 61 Stat. (3) 2740, 2742.
4. Document No. 1007, post.
5. Document No. 856, post (not attached, but clearly identified).
6. Treaties and Other International Acts Series No. 1520; 60 Stat. (2) 1649. Text also in Department of State Bulletin, vol. xii, p. 1051.
7. See the accompaniment to document No. 1038, post, section i, paragraph 1.
8. See ante, p. 93.
9. Document No. 1121, post.
10. Presumably document No. 1120, post.
11. See ante, pp. 91–93.
12. See document No. 1120, post, the last sentence of paragraph 1.
13. See document No. 1417, post, section vi.
14. Document No. 1177, post (not attached but clearly identified).
15. Document No. 745, post.
16. Document No. 1202, post.
17. Document No. 837, post.