The Secretary of State to President Roosevelt 66
Dear Mr. President: At a press conference on Friday last,67 correspondents submitted some thirty odd questions in writing, precipitated [Page 180] by the Herald Tribune story on the Soviet proposal for additional votes in the Assembly. The Department has given careful consideration to the preparation of a draft statement which follows in this message.68 We believe it accurate and have reason to hope that this method of handling the matter may allay press concern. We feel strongly that we should take this occasion to settle positively the position of this Government on additional votes in the General Assembly.
Dean Acheson has discussed this matter with Connally, Vandenberg, and Bloom. Connally feels that we should state at this time that we do not intend to exercise the right reserved to the United States to request two additional votes in the General Assembly. Vandenberg agrees that the most desirable result would be a single vote by the United States in the General Assembly, even though the USSR has three and is inclined to go along, but feels that it may be desirable to leave the whole matter open in view of a renewal of public comment about “six British votes”. Bloom is willing to go along, but his private judgment is that it is better to leave the matter open. If it is decided not to take the flat position that we do not propose to exercise the right reserved, all three delegates would agree to a statement to the effect that the Delegation will decide in its discretion whether or not the United States will advance the proposal.
In discussing the question of trusteeship with Colonel Stimson and Jim Forrestal, I raised the question of this statement and showed them copies. They approved of the statement and approved also of an announcement that this Government does not intend to request additional seats in the Assembly.
The pressure on this matter is becoming intense, and I very much hope to have your views in time for me to make a statement this afternoon or tomorrow noon at the latest.69 I am leaving for Chicago late Tuesday, expecting to return on Thursday.
I will telephone Bill Hassett70 this afternoon in the hope that I may be able to secure your views either directly or through him.
Sincerely yours,
per
- Copy obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N. Y.↩
- March 30.↩
- Draft not printed; see final statement released to the press on April 3, Department of State Bulletin, April 8, 1945, p. 600.↩
- The President approved the draft with certain changes.↩
- William D. Hassett, Secretary to President Roosevelt.↩