Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1945, Europe, Volume V

861.24/9–2145

The Executive of the Presidents Soviet Protocol Committee (York) to the Assistant Secretary of State (Clayton)

Washington, 21 September, 1945.

My Dear Mr. Clayton: Attached is a copy of a memorandum from Mr. Harry L. Hopkins, Chairman of the President’s Soviet Protocol Committee, which was approved by the President on 20 September, 1945. This memorandum terminates the existence of the President’s Soviet Protocol Committee and no further business will be transacted by this agency.

I am sure that each member and each alternate member of the Committee can be justifiably proud of the record which has been achieved by the President’s Soviet Protocol Committee. Obviously, the task could not have been accomplished without the continuous and wholehearted support of all Governmental agencies connected with the program. For the Chairman, and in my own behalf, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the support and cooperation which have been accorded my office throughout the history of the Protocol Committee.

With best wishes for your continued future success, I remain

Sincerely yours,

John Y. York, Jr.

Major General, U.S. Army

[Enclosure]

Memorandum by the Chairman of the Presidents Soviet Protocol Committee (Hopkins) to President Truman ¹¹

Washington, 7 September 1945.

Subject: Completion of the Work of the President’s Soviet Protocol Committee

1. The President’s Soviet Protocol Committee was established by direction of the President in October, 1942 to be responsible for the over-all coordination of Lend-Lease matters affecting Russia through action by appropriate existing agencies and in conformity with policies approved by him. (Copy of letter establishing Committee attached)¹²

2. The official proclamation of 2 September, 1945 as V–J Day logically terminates the duties assigned to the Committee. It is, therefore, recommended that the Committee be dissolved.

Harry L. Hopkins

11. Notation by President Truman: “Approved 9/20/45 Harry S. Truman”.
12. Not attached to file copy. The Committee was established by President Roosevelt on October 30, 1942; see the memorandum from President Roosevelt to the Secretary of State, November 9, 1942, Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. iii, p. 743.