Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, General; the United Nations, Volume I

501.AB/11–1646

Memorandum by John G. Boss, Senior Adviser to the United States Delegation, to the Political Advisers¹ on the Delegation Staff

confidential

[New York,] November 16, 1946.

I have a report this morning from Washington on conversations in which Mr. Hiss participated with Senator Vandenberg, Mr. Acheson, Mr. Clayton, and members of the Congress.

As the result of these conversations the United States position is absolutely clear that there must be a ceiling on contributions.

An energetic campaign on the part of all of our political officers and others concerned in support of this position is essential.

Stated in briefest terms the United States position is that our contribution for this year should be clearly on a provisional basis; the primary objective is to secure acceptance of the ceiling principle. The United States contribution should in no case be larger than 40% and the political officers in their conversations with members of the foreign delegations on this subject should seek actively to persuade other delegations to agree to some percentage under 40%, possibly between 33 and 39%.

I should greatly appreciate it if you would get this campaign under way actively.

1. For the names of the 13 men who comprised the team of Political Advisers on the United States Delegation advisory staff, and to whom this memorandum was addressed, see footnote 65, p. 41.