740.00119 Control (Japan)/10–1645
The British Ambassador (Halifax) to the Secretary of State
Record of Conversation
Mr. Bevin12 has asked me to tell you how much he appreciates your action in giving him an opportunity of considering the proposed message to Stalin.
While Mr. Bevin still believes that any fresh approach to the Soviet Government would be a mistake, he sees no objection to the President sending the message proposed. He would, however, wish to make the following comments.
- (a)
- As the whole purpose of the message is to put the facts to Generalissimo Stalin himself, Mr. Bevin certainly agrees that the message should be handed to the Generalissimo personally. As the Generalissimo is now reported to be away on holiday, the United States Government may prefer to delay despatch until he has returned to Moscow.
- (b)
- Mr. Bevin assumes that His Majesty’s Government will in no sense be committed by the President’s message and that the idea of the United States Government is that if Generalissimo Stalin reacts favourably, the United States Government would then approach the United Kingdom, French and Chinese Governments. In order to avoid misunderstanding with the Russians, Mr. Bevin thinks it important that this should be clearly indicated in the message.
- (c)
- If the moment comes to define future procedure more closely, there are a number of detailed points arising from the United States proposal which will require clarification.
[Washington,] October 16, 1945.
- Ernest Bevin, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.↩