Department of State Atomic Energy Files

The Secretary of War ( Patterson ) to the Secretary of State 52

top secret

Dear Jim: I am enclosing a narrative, with annexed papers, showing discussions and transactions that I had with the British last November in the field of atomic energy. The narrative was prepared by Captain Arneson who participated actively in all discussions and transactions.53

You will note that the so-called “Memorandum of Intention” was prepared by the same people and at the same time as the short note of November 16, which speaks of “full and effective cooperation”.54 The “Memorandum of Intention” (Tab F), which was signed by Sir John Anderson and General Groves and was intended as a recommended guide for the preparation of a new agreement, states as follows:

“5. There shall be full and effective cooperation in the field of basic scientific research among the three countries. In the field of development, design, construction, and operation of plants such cooperation, recognized as desirable in principle, shall be regulated by such ad hoc [Page 1233] arrangements as may be approved from time to time by the Combined Policy Committee as mutually advantageous”.

It seems clear to me, that quite apart from the course of action looking to United Nations control of atomic energy, our British friends could not have had the impression that “full and effective cooperation” included imparting industrial information and “know-how” to them.

Sincerely yours,

Robert P. Patterson
  1. The source text is date-stamped the Office of the Under Secretary, April 19; it bears no indication of having been examined by the Secretary of State.
  2. For text of the Arneson memorandum, see Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. ii, p. 63.
  3. The document referred to here as the “Memorandum of Intention” is that signed by General Groves and Sir John Anderson on November 16, 1945; for text, see ibid., p. 75. The document referred to here as “the short note” is that signed by President Truman, Prime Minister Attlee, and Prime Minister Mackenzie King; for text, see telegram 3400, April 20, to London, p. 1235.