Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, European Advisory Commission, Austria, Germany, Volume III

740.00119 EAC/5–2245: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State

London, May 22, 1945—11 p.m.
[Received May 22—8:26 p.m.]

5120. Comea 262. My 5015, May 19, 1 p.m.; Comea 258. At tonight’s meeting the European Advisory Commission considered further the Soviet proposal regarding consultation with certain Allied Governments concerning the declaration on the defeat of Germany. Gousev repeated his proposal that (1) the EAC communicate the text of the declaration to the seven European Allied Governments which have been in consultation with the EAC; (2) the UK Government decide whether to communicate it to the Governments of the Dominions and India; (3) the US Govt decide whether to communicate it to the Brazilian Government; and (4) the Soviet Government decide whether to communicate it to the Provisional Government of Poland.

The UK representative agreed to the communication to be made by the EAC to the seven European Governments and stated that his Government would inform the Governments of the Dominions and India. I agreed similarly to the communication by the EAC and stated that the US Government would communicate the declaration to the Government of Brazil. Since the Soviet representative in conclusion failed to state explicitly whether or not his Government would communicate the declaration to the Provisional Government of Poland it proved unnecessary for Strang or me to reserve our positions regarding this intention of the Soviet Govt. In this respect Gousev’s proposal and attitude were very constructive.

After further discussion it was agreed that the Allied Consultation Committee of the EAC would meet the representatives of the Governments of Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Greece together on Friday, May 25, at 11:30 a.m. London time, and would then communicate to those representatives the text of the declaration in English, Russian and French. It was agreed that the Committee would emphasize the absolutely secret character of the document; would point out that it is based on the instrument of unconditional surrender of which they had previously received summaries; and would state that the declaration has been approved by the four Govts which propose to issue it to the German people at a time to be agreed between them.⁷²

In preparing to communicate the text of the declaration to the Government of Brazil⁷³ the Dept may wish to note the time, Friday May 25, 11:30 London time, at which the communication will be made in London to the representatives of the seven Governments.

Winant

72. Telegram 5227, Comea 268, May 25, from London, reported the planned meeting of the European Advisory Commission with the Allied Consultation Committee as described here had been held on the morning of May 25 (740.00119–EAC/5–2545).
73. Department telegram 1310, May 24, 1945, 2 p.m., to Rio de Janeiro, stated in part: “Friday morning, May 25. Department will deliver to Brazilian Charge secret text of draft declaration concerning assumption by the four powers of supreme authority over German affairs.” (740.00119 EW/5–1545) Mr. Fernando Lobo was the Chargé.