740.00119 Council/10–1245: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
2152. The President wishes you to deliver the following message10 to Stalin in his name:
“Mr. Byrnes has reported to me upon his return from London. I was pleased to learn that on a number of subjects the Council of Foreign Ministers was in general agreement. I feel that at this first meeting the ministers have made substantial progress.
“I was surprised to learn, however, that not only in private conversations between Mr. Molotov and Mr. Byrnes, but also at the Council table, Mr. Molotov suggested that the United States policy in regard to the recognition of the governments of Rumania and Bulgaria appeared to be motivated by an unfriendly attitude towards the Soviet Union.
“I cannot believe that your government seriously believes that American policy is so motivated. Our policy in regard to the recognition of the Provisional governments of Finland, Poland, Hungary and Austria indicates that we are anxious, and are willing to go far, to concert our policy with that of the Soviet Union. As I endeavored to make clear at the Berlin conference, our government is only trying to carry out the policy sponsored by President Roosevelt and accepted by the three governments at the Yalta Conference.
“Mr. Byrnes has also reported to me of the procedural difficulties which brought the London conference to an impasse. It appears that on September 11, the Council invited members not parties to the surrender terms to participate in the discussions of the treaties without vote. This procedure, which at the time of its adoption was not questioned by any member of the Council, was to my mind clearly a proper and permissible procedure under the Berlin agreement.
“Mr. Byrnes felt unable to agree to the change in this procedure suggested by Mr. Molotov on September 22. He rightly felt that our government could not humiliate France and China by withdrawing in the midst of the conference the invitation extended to them to participate in the treaty discussions after they had already participated in sixteen sessions.
“In an effort to find a solution acceptable to all members of the Council, Mr. Byrnes stated that he would accept a narrowing of the drafting procedure provided it was agreed that the Council would call a peace conference of the principally interested states as authorized by Article 2 (4) (ii) of the Berlin Agreement.
“I hope that you will find it possible to accept Mr. Byrnes’ proposal. I feel that since all of us extended to China and France an invitation to participate in the discussion of these treaties we should work out a procedure which will insure the convocation by the full Council of a peace conference for the consideration of the treaties.
[Page 563]“I hope we can reach early agreement on this matter in order that the deputies may proceed under clear instructions as to their procedure with the important work that has been referred to them.
“Early settlement of disagreement on peace machinery is essential to prevent misunderstanding among the people of both our countries’ which might make future cooperation more difficult. I am sure that you will agree with me that the common interests of both our countries in the peace are for more important than any possible differences among us.
“I am asking Ambassador Harriman, who has been at London and is fully acquainted with my views, to bring this personally to you so that you will have an opportunity to discuss any points about it that are in your mind.”
If you are unable to reach Stalin, we will have to decide on a different method of transmission as to which I should appreciate your advice.
- A draft of a proposed message to Stalin, substantially the same as the one printed here, was transmitted to the Secretary by Assistant Secretary Dunn and Ambassador Harriman in telegram 10328, October 4, 1945, from London (740.00119 Council/10–445).↩