330.13/5–1352

The Secretary of State to the Secretary of Defense (Lovett) 1

top secret

My Dear Mr. Secretary: Reference is made to your letter of May 132 commenting on a proposed message to the United States Delegation to the United Nations concerning certain phases of the work of the Disarmament Commission.

The position that the United States has taken in the Disarmament Commission is actually in general conformity with the recommendations contained in the memorandum of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The statement quoted from the proposed message to the United States Delegation and to which exception was taken in the Joint Chiefs of Staff memorandum related to a contingency which, in all probability, would not, in fact, arise.

I am fully in accord with your suggestion that our Government’s position be established as rapidly as possible on the relationship between the proposed system of disclosure and verification, the plan for international control of atomic energy, and an international program for the regulation, limitation and balanced reduction of armed forces armaments. It is clear from the proceedings of the Disarmament Commission that the United States will be required to take some position on this subject in the near future. In fact, two members of the Commission, France and Pakistan, have already given to the United States Delegation on an informal basis drafts of proposals which deal with this problem. The machinery of the Executive Committee on Regulation of Armaments would seem suitable to conduct the preliminary studies in connection with such a position and I have suggested that arrangements in this regard be expedited. Unquestionably parts of the memorandum of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be useful in establishing such a position.

As I stated previously, the proposed message to the United States Delegation to the United Nations which is the subject of your letter has not been and will not be dispatched.

Sincerely yours,

For the Secretary of State:
John D. Hickerson

Assistant Secretary
  1. Drafted by Bechhoefer and cleared by Sanders of UNA and by Arneson.
  2. Supra.