501.BC Atomic/4–1946
The Secretary of State to the United States Representative on the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission (Baruch)
Dear B. M. B.: Summarizing for the record our discussion of April 18 in which Mr. Hancock17 and Mr. Searls18 participated, I have asked you to give me the benefit of your advice when, with the President, I attempt to determine the policy of the United States which is to guide you in your representation of the United States on the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission.
You have pointed out that under the statute you are not called upon to determine policy. The fact is that under the law the President determines the policy and transmits such policy through me to the United States representative on the Commission. However, as a practical matter, I know that the President will ask for my views in determining the policy and I, in turn, will ask for your views. That is why I had asked you to be good enough to fully explore the subject.
I have advised you that I am favorably impressed by the report which has come to be called the State Department report and which was prepared under the direction of Mr. Acheson. I have, however, advised you that I am not of the opinion that it is the last word on the subject and, on the contrary, that I shall give careful consideration to any views that may be presented by you after you consider the problem.
I have suggested that submission of your advice should be informal I hope that you will give me the benefit of your advice from time to time as your study progresses. I suggest this because from time to time I may be called upon to discuss the matter with the President. I would want to give to him, or have you join me in giving to him, any views we thought might be helpful to him in his consideration of the subject.
There is to be no formal report. The decision as to policy is the President’s. You and I will advise him just as I advise him on many other matters. While it is the duty of the President to determine the policy, it is my thought that when determined it should not be made public by him but should be transmitted to you and you, as the representative of the United States, should announce at the meeting of the Commission what is the policy of this Government. However, this will be for the President to decide.
[Page 778]Once the Commission is in operation, there must be close cooperation between you and the Secretary of State. Matters will arise which cannot be foreseen and you must be given discretion to exercise your own judgment as to all such matters, only avoiding positions that would be in conflict with the President’s policy.
I do not believe that you will have any difficulty about these matters. You will be acting toward me just as I act toward the President. I know what his basic policies are. Knowing that, I do not hesitate to take positions as to matters which could not be anticipated. If they are matters of great importance I try to communicate with him. We have never had any difference in views that was not quickly reconciled. I am sure that will be your experience.
If you need any help from the State Department I am sure it will be granted without question. Should there ever be a question this letter is your authority to call upon the officials of the Department of State for assistance.
I expect to leave Washington Tuesday morning.19 Good luck to you!
Sincerely yours,