Office of the Historian

501.BC Armaments/10–1048: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin), in Paris

secret
urgent
Washington, October 11, 1948—11 a. m.

Gadel 168. On reviewing text of speech contained Delga 277, Oct. 10,1 we have overall impression that it is unduly negative in its approach to Soviet disarmament proposals. If it is possible suggest that speech end on more constructive tone. Ambassador Austin might say for example that this Govt would be glad to consider sympathetically any bonafide disarmament proposal from any quarter. We must however be assured that such proposals are honest and that they will be safeguarded by appropriate guarantees to ensure scrupulous compliance.

This telegram does not cancel authorization to deliver speech as contained Delga 277 which was telephoned to Rusk at 9:35 a. m., EST. [Page 467] We hope however this suggestion will arrive in time to permit some modification in tone of speech.2

Lovett
  1. For information regarding Delga 277, see footnote 2, p. 459.↩
  2. The speech under reference was delivered by Senator Austin at the 157th Meeting of the First Committee, October 12, 10:30 a. m. His remarks are recorded in GA (III/1), First Committee, pp. 131–134. For the verbatim text, see Department of State Bulletin, October 24, 1948, pp. 511–516.

    The text of the address actually presented was essentially that contained in Delga 277, although certain changes were made prior to delivery. The Department of State was notified of these modifications in Delga 292, October 11, and Delga 296, October 12, neither printed. Among the changes noted in Delga 292 was the deletion of the last sentence of the version of the speech transmitted in Delga 277 which had read as follows:“I call upon the Soviet Union to give us some probative evidence of its sincerity and desire to cooperate with us openly, to give life and meaning to the purpose and principles of the United Nations Charter, to which we have all subscribed.” (501.BC Armaments/10–1048) Senator Austin instead stated the following in conclusion:

    “Before closing, I wish to state that the Delegation of the United States has considered carefully and will vote for the resolutions which have been submitted to this committee by the Delegations of the United Kingdom and Syria [A/C.1/319 and A/C.1/318]. Taken together these resolutions are entirely consistent with the position of the United States. Article 26 of the Charter provides: ‘That— … the Security Council shall be responsible for formulating … plans to be submitted to the Members of the United Nations for the establishment of a system for the regulation of armaments.’

    “Despite the fact that the work of this Commission [the Commission for Conventional Armaments] has continued to be hampered by the demagogic appeals and irresponsible propaganda of the Soviet Union, the United States believes that the commission must proceed with its work.”

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