Office of the Historian

501.BB/11–2246

Memorandum by G. Hoyden Raynor of the United States Delegation Staff of Advisers to Senator Austin

secret
[New York,] November 22, 1946.

Subject: Economic and Social Council Elections

Our abandonment of the Netherlands is having a most unfortunate, although natural, reaction on them. Reports reaching us by the “grapevine” indicate that members of the Netherlands Delegation have been stating to other people that this illustrates that the United States can not be depended upon, that it is unfortunate that a friend who has proved himself a true friend should be thrown over because of pressures of a “nuisance type”, and that they wonder if it is worth standing [Page 238] by a country if an unpredictable reaction of this type may be expected in return.

It is my opinion that our decision to vote for Byelorussia and Turkey on the next ballot is tantamount to the election on that ballot of Byelorussia, assuming that the Soviets are normally keen on the matter. If they do display normal keenness, they can be expected to concentrate the votes now distributed between Byelorussia and Yugoslavia in favor of Byelorussia and thus elect Byelorussia.

If this comes about the next ballot would then be between the Netherlands and Turkey. As I understand it, decision has already been made in favor of Turkey as between these two. If my analysis, therefore, is correct, as I see it we have already abandoned the Netherlands.

In view thereof I am raising in the Department the question as to whether it would be advisable to support the Netherlands for the Trusteeship Council. If this is done we must have a decision on a very firm basis because it would be even more than the goodwill of the Dutch can be expected to understand to repeat the ECOSOC experience on another Council election.

I think it is very important that we make a prompt decision as to what we will do on the second ballot. Until such decision is made I do not think it is wise for us to talk on this subject with other Delegations. In fact, I think that if we have indeed abandoned the Netherlands that it would be better to confine this act to ourselves alone and not damage the position of the Netherlands further by telling other Delegations of our action.