894.30/10–1745: Telegram

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

2175. Please deliver the following message from me personally to Mr. Molotov:44

“While in London45 I advised you that the United States Government desired to sink the units of the Japanese fleet which were surrendered to the United States Navy and that I had requested that this action be delayed until I could inform you and Mr. Bevin46 of our plan. You did not then present any views.

I am writing now to say that the Navy again has communicated with me, and if you care to express any views with reference to this plan, I should like to hear at an early date so that I can advise the officials of our Navy.

With best wishes.”

Byrnes
  1. Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.
  2. Mr. Byrnes attended the first session of the Council of Foreign Ministers at London from September 11 to October 2; for documentation on this Conference, see vol. ii, pp. 99 ff.
  3. Ernest Bevin, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.