Editorial Note
On February 4, 1947, the Secretary of State conferred with Senators Arthur H. Vandenberg (Michigan) and Tom Connally (Texas) and invited them to accompany him to the Moscow session of the Council of Foreign Ministers. Both Senators reluctantly declined the invitation because of the pressure of urgent Congressional business, [Page 154] in particular the consideration of the treaties of peace with Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Rumania. No Department record of the discussion has been found, but both Senators issued statements to the press following the meeting explaining their decisions. During his press conference on February 7, 1947, the Secretary referred to his discussions with the Senators and noted their decision not to accompany him to Moscow. For the text of the statement by the Secretary, see Department of State Bulletin, February 16, 1947, page 286.