Office of the Historian

740.00119 Council/10–1145: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, October 11, 1945—5 p.m.
[Received October 11—1:35 p.m.]

3512. I met Molotov1 at the Chinese National Day reception yesterday. After discussing my visit to Berlin and Vienna during which Molotov stated that Soviet military authorities had a high regard for Generals Eisenhower2 and Clark3 and their respective staffs, I turned the conversation to London Conference.4 Molotov said he thought the principal mistake had been that there had not been more preparation between us, that there should have been an informal meeting before the general meeting, presumably between the Big Three. He agreed that if there had been only one session a day it would have permitted more informal talks before matters became an issue at the conference table. He seemed in much better health than at London and went out of his way to be friendly in his remarks. We did not, of course, touch at all on the issues involved. In reply to my inquiry he said Stalin5 planned to be away “about a month and a half”.

I am keen to know your present thinking on how the situation left by the London Conference should be handled. It would be helpful to know what you would like accomplished in connection with any informal talks I may have with Molotov or Vyshinski,6 even if formal approach at this time may seem inadvisable until Stalin’s return.

It would also be helpful if I could be given a translation of Molotov’s answer to your letter regarding control of Japan which came just [Page 561] before you left London and whether you intend to reply to his letter.7 As I recall it Molotov stated that he considered the question should be discussed between us outside of the Far East Advisory Council.

Harriman
  1. Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.↩
  2. General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower, Commander in Chief of United States Armed Forces in Europe and Military Governor in Germany.↩
  3. Gen. Mark W. Clark, Commanding General, United States Forces in Austria.↩
  4. For documentation on the first session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, September 11–October 2, 1945, see pp. 99 ff.↩
  5. Generalissimo Iosif Vissarionovich Stalin, Chairman, Council of People’s Commissars of the Soviet Union.↩
  6. Andrey Yanuaryevich Vyshinsky, Assistant People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.↩
  7. For the Secretary’s letter to Molotov, September 29, regarding the Far Eastern Advisory Commission, and Molotov’s reply of October 1, see vol. vi , section under Japan entitled “Surrender of Japan …”, Part II.↩