Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, National Security Affairs; Foreign Economic Policy, Volume I

S/AE Files, Lot 68 D 358

Memorandum by Mr. R. Gordon Arneson ¹ to the Secretary of State ²

top secret

[Washington,] October 18, 1951.

Subject: Suggested Text for British Use re Consultations on Atomic Warfare

Background

When Mr. Morrison saw you on September 11, 1951 he raised the question of U.S. consultation with the U.K. before use of atomic weapons. He expressed concern that the Prime Minister might be asked about this matter in Commons at any time and asked what we would suggest the Prime Minister might say. You stated that a statement for Mr. Attlee’s use probably could be worked out but it would take some time.

At the U.S.–U.K. politico-military meeting on September 13, Sir Oliver Franks raised the question again. Mr. Matthews showed him, but did not give him, the attached draft which you had previously seen. Sir Oliver said that the suggestion might be useful but that he wanted to think some more about the whole matter and come back later.

Yesterday, in the course of discussing with Mr. Matthews the proposed statement on the use of U.K. bases, Mr. Steel stated that the draft which had been shown to Sir Oliver on September 13 on the broader problem was acceptable to the U.K. and asked whether we were prepared to approve it. He felt it would be most helpful to have an agreed text in readiness in the event that

(1) the issue was raised in the election campaign;

(2) a question was put in the Commons;

(3) Churchill had to be briefed as the new head of the Government after the elections.

Mr. Matthews undertook to give Mr. Steel our views as soon as possible.

Discussion

The attached statement is quite “thin” from the U.K. point of view; it is, on the other hand, as far as we can go. Since the U.K. is prepared to accept it, it would seem desirable for us to agree on this text as promptly as possible. If Churchill is returned to head the Government he will doubtless want to get a greater commitment from us. We should be in a better position to withstand his onslaught if this statement has already been agreed upon.

Recommendation

Mr. Matthews and I recommend you discuss this problem with the President when you see him today to secure his approval of the proposed statement.

R. Gordon Arneson

[Annex]

United States Draft Statement

top secret

Subject: Suggested text for Prime Minister Attlee re Consultations on Atomic Warfare

“The House will recall that when I was last in Washington I discussed with the President the question of the use of atomic weapons. There emerged from these discussions the following statement which appeared in the Joint Communiqué of the conference: ‘The President stated that it was his hope that world conditions would never call for the use of the atomic bomb. The President told the Prime Minister that it was also his desire to keep the Prime Minister at all times informed of developments which might bring about a change in the situation.’ Since then, we and the Americans have had discussions from time to time on developments in the world situation. I would stress that the evaluations of situations made by the two Governments in these discussions must necessarily be tentative and subject to change in the light of new developments that may occur. We are convinced that by a continuing examination of our respective appraisals of developing world situations the national interests of the two countries can best be served.”

[ Washington ,] September 12, 1951.

1. Special Assistant to the Secretary of State for Atomic Energy Affairs.
2. The following handwritten notation by the Secretary of State appears at the top of the source text: “Approved by the President. D.A.” Acheson’s one-sentence memorandum on his discussion of this subject during a meeting with President Truman on October 18 indicates that approval was obtained at that time. (S/AE Files, Lot 68 D 358)