Potsdam Conference (TERMINAL)

85

Cohen notes

Potsdam, July 17, 1945, 5 p.m.

GENERALISSIMO STALIN opened the meeting by suggesting that PRESIDENT TRUMAN be asked to serve as the presiding officer. The GENERALISSIMO’S suggestion was seconded by MR. CHURCHILL. PRESIDENT TRUMAN said there was nothing he could do but yield to their wishes and to preside. He thanked them for their courtesy.

PRESIDENT TRUMAN then stated that he had some concrete proposals to lay before the Conference.

He first pointed out the urgency of preparing for the European settlements. He submitted to the meeting a draft proposal for the establishment of a Council of Foreign Ministers.

MR. CHURCHILL suggested that the paper be referred to the foreign secretaries.

GENERALISSIMO STALIN said he agreed with that procedure but only wished to mention that he had some doubt as to the inclusion of China in a Council of Foreign Ministers to deal with the European peace.

PRESIDENT TRUMAN then stated he desired to make a statement with regard to our policy toward Germany.

(1) He thought that the Control Council should commence to function immediately in accordance with the agreement already entered into. For this purpose he was submitting for their consideration a draft containing the principles which should be followed by the Control Council in the administration of Germany.

MR. CHURCHILL indicated that he had not had a chance to read the draft agreement and he would like to do so before the matter was referred to the foreign secretaries.

(2) THE PRESIDENT then read his prepared statement on the need for the implementation of the Yalta Declaration.

MR. CHURCHILL also indicated that he wanted time to read the document which he probably generally concurred in.

(3) THE PRESIDENT then stated that the time had come for revision of our Italian policy. Italy had entered the war against Japan and he thought the time had come to admit Italy into the United Nations. He submitted a prepared proposal looking toward the establishment of peace with Italy.

MR. CHURCHILL stated he thought we were preparing to deal with very important policies somewhat too hastily. He thought that these important matters required very deliberate consideration. Britain had fought for four years against Italy. Italy had entered the war against Britain at a most critical time. President Roosevelt himself had used the phrase regarding the dagger that stabbed the neighbor in the back with reference to Italy’s entrance into the war. Possibly he would not differ from the concrete proposals of THE PRESIDENT but he wished more time to consider.

PRESIDENT TRUMAN pointed out that he had to step into the place of a man who really was irreplaceable. He knew that Mr. Roosevelt had gained their good will and their friendship both for himself and for his country and he hoped that he might be able to succeed in part to that friendship and good will.

MR. CHURCHILL stated that he felt certain that both he and THE MARSHAL wished to renew the great regard and affection that they had for Mr. Roosevelt with MR. TRUMAN. Their common friendship had served to hold their countries together in the most trying period of history. Mr. Truman has come to join them at a most critical time. He extended his cordial regard and respect to MR. TRUMAN. He had every hope and confidence that the ties that bound their nations together would be continued.

GENERALISSIMO STALIN on behalf of the whole Russian delegation, expressed the desire to join in the sentiments expressed by MR. CHURCHILL.

MR. CHURCHILL suggested we go over various points proposed for discussion and try to agree on the agenda.

PRESIDENT TRUMAN: We have offered what we think is most important.

CHURCHILL: I would like to add the Polish question.

STALIN: It would be well for the three delegations to set forth the questions they would like to discuss. Russia would like to discuss (1) the question of the division of the German merchant fleet and navy; (2) the question of reparations; (3) trusteeships for Russia under the San Francisco Charter; (4) relations with the Axis satellite states; (5) Franco regime imposed on Spain by the Axis. This regime should be changed. It harbors great danger to the United Nations.

CHURCHILL: We are only discussing things to go on the agenda. I agree that the matter of Spain should be discussed.

STALIN: (6) the question of Tangier.

CHURCHILL: Mr. Eden has advised me we can reach only provisional agreement on Tangier in the absence of the French.

STALIN: (7) The question of Syria and Lebanon; (8) the Polish question involving the determination of Poland’s western frontiers and the liquidation of the London Government.

CHURCHILL: We agree the Polish question should be discussed including the willing up of the London government. We hope the Marshal and the President will recognize that England was made the home of the Polish government which fought against the Axis. England has the burden of winding up these obligations. Our objectives are similar but probably more difficult for Britain. She cannot force the liquidation of the Polish army before the arrangements have been made for taking care of the soldiers. With regard to Poland, Britain attaches great importance to the election that should give the people an opportunity to realize their wishes.

STALIN: The Russians have no additional points to add to the agenda.

CHURCHILL: The British have submitted in writing their proposed agenda. I suggest the foreign secretaries meet tonight to agree on the agenda for tomorrow. They can prepare a menu for us better than we can at this table.

STALIN and TRUMAN agree.

CHURCHILL: So tomorrow we will have prepared the points most agreeable.

STALIN: All the same, we will not escape the disagreeable.

CHURCHILL: We will feel our way up to them.

STALIN: Shall we proceed with the meeting further today?

TRUMAN: Have you any suggestions?

STALIN: We might take up the Council of Foreign Ministers.

TRUMAN: I have submitted my views.

STALIN: The principles suggested by the American delegation present no difficulty, but I would like an explanation of the reason for China’s participation in European affairs.

TRUMAN: China is one of the five members of the Security Council.

STALIN: The decision taken at Crimea provided for quarterly conferences of the foreign secretaries. Does PRESIDENT TRUMAN’S suggestion supersede the Crimea proposal?

TRUMAN: The Crimea proposal was temporary.

STALIN: Then the quarterly meeting of the secretaries will be dropped. Should not the European Advisory Committee [Commission] also be dropped? I have no objection to the establishment of the Council of Foreign Ministers, but I think it should be clear that the quarterly meeting of the foreign secretaries and the European Advisory Committee elapse [will lapse?].

TRUMAN: That interpretation would be satisfactory to me. The foreign secretaries could meet but there probably would be nothing for them to discuss.

CHURCHILL: The quarterly meetings of the foreign secretaries are very helpful in advising us. I think it a needless complication to bring China in. When it comes to drawing up the peace, all countries must come in. The preliminary work cannot be done by telegram. I am content that China should be admitted to drawing up the general provisions for peace but not for the day-to-day work. China is far from Europe and has not contributed to the European war. Do you really wish to discuss the administration of Germany with the Chinese delegation?

TRUMAN: The problems to be considered by the Council are quite different from the ordinary meetings of the foreign secretaries. It is intended for a specific purpose. Let me read the draft proposal.

(The draft proposal is read by MR. TRUMAN)

STALIN: This will be a Conference to prepare for the future Peace Conference.

CHURCHILL: The Peace Conference.

STALIN: The war is over in Europe and this Council will deal with reparations and will give an indication of the day when the Peace Conference should meet.

TRUMAN: The Peace Conference should not be convened until we are adequately prepared.

CHURCHILL: This does not seem to me to present any difficulty in reconciling our different objectives. We ought to have a council to prepare for the peace, but it should not supersede the two practical bodies, to wit: the quarterly meetings of the foreign secretaries, and the European Advisory Committee, which deal with current events. I would regret to see these two bodies to cease to exist. Until the Japanese war is over I see great difficulty in China’s having a voice in the trying problems of Europe. I see no advantage in introducing China with the European settlement. They have not fought in Europe. It is possible that while the Council is sitting, the war with Japan will end. Then China can and should come into the World Peace Conference. I do not see that China could help us in settling the question of the Reich.

STALIN: Perhaps the matter can be referred to the foreign ministers.

TRUMAN: I have no objection to the foreign secretaries eliminating China if they think that that is best.

CHURCHILL: China might be present and come in when Asiatic matters are considered.

STALIN: As all the questions are to be discussed by the foreign ministers, we shall have nothing to do (Laughter).

CHURCHILL: Our first task is making a peace in Europe – ultimately in the world. The quarterly meeting of the foreign secretaries should continue and the European Advisory Committee fitted in. The Council should make plans for the peace for submission to their governments when their governments are ready to come together for that purpose.

STALIN: The time of the Conference.

CHURCHILL: That depends on events and the progress made by the Council.

STALIN: The Foreign secretaries should discuss the necessity of preserving the European Advisory Committee as well as the quarterly meeting of the foreign secretaries.

TRUMAN: There should be some issue to discuss on which we can come to a conclusion tomorrow.

CHURCHILL: The secretaries should give us three or four points – enough to keep us busy.

TRUMAN: I don’t want just to discuss, I want to decide.

CHURCHILL: You want something in the bag each day.

TRUMAN: I should like to meet at 4:00 instead of 5:00.

CHURCHILL: I will obey your orders.

STALIN: If you are in such an obedient mood today, MR. PRIME MINISTER, I should like to know whether you will share with us the German fleet.

CHURCHILL: We will share it with you or sink it.

Tripartite Communiqué

The Berlin conference of the heads of government of the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union met this afternoon at 5 o’clock. By invitation of his two colleagues, the President of the United States of America will preside at the meetings of the conference.

A preliminary exchange of views took place on matters requiring decision by the heads of government.

It was decided that the three foreign secretaries should hold regular meetings with a view to preparing the work of the conference.

86 
740.00119 Control (Italy)/7-1745: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy to the Acting Secretary of State

Rome, July 17, 1945
Plain
2010

Most Rome papers this morning carry United Press item stating that Colonel James Henderson Douglas will arrive in Italy probably on July 24 to assume post of Chief Commissioner of Allied Commission replacing Admiral Stone (see my 1877, July 7th).

KIRK

87

The Pittsburgh Press (July 17, 1945)

BIG THREE OPENS POTSDAM CONFERENCE
Truman talks with Stalin at luncheon

Foreign chiefs also attend

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88

U.S. drafts terms for Japs when they decide to give up

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89

Library WAC handles calls for Big Three at Potsdam

Sgt. Royer works on switchboard

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90

Simms: Truman holds trump cards to play at Potsdam meeting

By William Philip Simms, Scripps-Howard foreign editor

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91

Conference gag irks reporters

Censorship rules worse than in war

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92

Editorial: Potsdam

At Potsdam, shrine of militarism, the preliminary peace conference opens today under hopeful signs. Marshal Stalin’s tardy arrival forced a day’s delay. But it appears to have been in the best cause.

He has been closeted in Moscow with Premier Soong. If a Russian-Chinese agreement is in the making, as reported, it can do much to preserve Pacific peace after Jap militarism is destroyed. The fact that American Ambassador Harriman was the only outsider consulted on the Statin-Soong conversations reflects the vital interest of our country.

The importance of those negotiations to the Potsdam meeting cannot be exaggerated. Though this is a session of the Big Three without China, and though the Far East is not on the official agenda, actually Japan’s defeat and the future of that part of the world are basic to American-British-Russian relations. That is true even though Russia is not now at war with Japan, which restricts the official range of Potsdam.

While the Pacific problem will be at this conference in spirit, and while Middle Eastern and other questions will be discussed, of course the main task is a European settlement. That involves immediate occupation and rule of Germany, which the Big Three and France are to share. Also it includes preparation for the general Allied peace conference, or perhaps series of peace conferences.

Success of the Potsdam meeting is not assured. Indeed, complete success is impossible. For it will deal with scores of complicated and deep-rooted problems – military, economic, territorial and political – not one of which can be solved in any final sense. No statesmen ever have faced such a stupendous job.

If the Big Three can make a genuine start in dealing jointly and constructively with only a few of these issues, and can prevent some others merely from getting worse, theirs will be a great success as it is counted in this war-weary world.

That achievement will depend in part on the intelligence of the Big Three and their technical advisers. But it will rest most on the ability to get along together. They must meet one another halfway. Unless they can compromise selfish interests and resolve mutual differences, Potsdam will fail.

We think it will not fall. With all its ups and downs, it should advance the world nearer the goal for which so many have died and still die.

93

Japs reported in peace move

Stalin may have offer from Tokyo

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94

Youngstown Vindicator (July 17, 1945)

27 WACs are assigned to Big Three switchboard

WASHINGTON (UP) – Twenty-seven WACs have been assigned to telephone switchboard duty at the Big Three conference at Potsdam, the War Department reported today. The WACs are members of the 3341st Signal Service Battalion.

95

Eliot: Russo-Sino talks of key importance

Points out possibility for another war after this
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot

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96

U.S. State Department (July 17, 1945)

800.515/7-1745: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in the Soviet Union

Washington, July 17, 1945 — 7 p.m.
Secret
U.S. urgent

1629

British have now agreed to proposal outlined Deptstel 1316 June 15. Spanish situation urgent. Reurtel 2570 July 14 inform Soviet we assume their concurrence in view of reports from Ankara and Stockholm that Soviet has so warned Turks and Swedes. Make point 5 of Depstel 1534 July 6 if can conveniently do so. For your information Dept proposes to continue stressing coordinated action and maintenance of trusteeship principle. This would preclude particular occupying power from disposing of German external assets to its own advantage. American expressions to Soviet regarding German Legation property Stockholm and German shares Rumanian oil companies will probably make these points.

Sent to Moscow, repeated to SecState Berlin for Collado and Despres.

GREW
C[OVEY] T. O[LIVER]

97

Log of the President’s Trip to the Berlin Conference

Tuesday, July 17:

While at Babelsberg the President arose at his customary early hour; had breakfast at 0800; and spent the forenoons working on his mail and papers, and studying reports on matters to come before the conference.

This forenoon Colonel Henri [Monti] L. Belot, Medical Corps, USA, called on the President and delivered to him a letter from the Mayor of Reims, France, inviting the President to visit Reims. Colonel Belot is commanding officer of the 178th General Hospital located at Reims.

1200: Generalissimo Stalin, accompanied by Mr. V. M. Molotov (People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs) and Mr. V. N. Pavlov (interpreter), called on the President at the Little White House. This was the first meeting of the President and Mr. Stalin. After greetings had been exchanged, the President, the Generalissimo, Secretary Byrnes, Mr. Molotov, Mr. Bohlen and Mr. Pavlov met in closed conference for more than an hour.

1320: The President entertained at lunch at the Little White House in honor of Generalissimo Stalin. Present were: The President, the Generalissimo, Mr. Byrnes, Mr. Molotov, Admiral Leahy, Mr. Bohlen and Mr. Pavlov. After lunch the party moved to the porch and posed for pictures.

1430: Ambassadors Harriman and Pauley called at the Little White House this afternoon and conferred briefly with the President and also with the Secretary of State.

1640: The President, accompanied by his personal staff, left the Little White House by motor car for Cecilienhof for the opening session of the conference. The President arrived at Cecilienhof at 1650. The Prime Minister and the Generalissimo were there when he arrived.

At 1700 the President, Prime Minister Churchill and Generalissimo Stalin, and the delegates of the three Allied nations, assembled in the conference room (the former reception room of the Palace), where greetings were exchanged and motion and still pictures were made.

At 1710 the Berlin Conference was officially called to order. At the suggestion of Generalissimo Stalin, the President was selected to act as chairman of the conference. Delegates for the United States during the course of the conference included: President Truman, Secretary Byrnes, Fleet Admiral Leahy, Ambassador Joseph E. Davies, Ambassador Edwin W. Pauley, Ambassador W. Averell Harriman, General of the Army George C. Marshall, Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, General of the Army H. H. Arnold, General Brehon B. Somervell, Vice Admiral Emory S. Land, Assistant Secretary of State William L. Clayton, Assistant Secretary of State James C. Dunn, Mr. Ben Cohen, Mr. H. Freeman Matthews and Mr. Charles E. Bohlen. Delegates for the United Kingdom included: Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill, Prime Minister Clement R. Attlee, The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Anthony Eden, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Ernest Bevin, Lord Leathers (Minister of War Transport), Sir Alexander Cadogan (Permanent Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs), Sir Archibald Clark Kerr (British Ambassador at Moscow), Sir Walter Monckton (Head of the U. K. Delegation to Moscow Reparations Commission), Sir William Strang (Political Adviser to the Commander in Chief, British Zone in Germany), Sir Edward Bridges (Secretary of the Cabinet), Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke (Chief of the Imperial General Staff), Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Charles Portal (Chief of the Air Staff), Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew Cunningham (First Sea Lord), General Sir Hastings L. Ismay (Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defense), Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander (Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theatre), and Field Marshal Sir Henry Maitland Wilson (Head of the British Joint Staff Mission at Washington). The Soviet Delegation included: Generalissimo J. V. Stalin, Mr. V. M. Molotov (People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs), Mr. A. Ya. Vyshinski (Deputy People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs), Mr. F. T. Gousev (Soviet Ambassador in Great Britain), Mr. I. M. Maisky (Deputy People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs), Mr. A. A. Gromyko (Soviet Ambassador in USA), Fleet Admiral Kuznetsov (People’s Commissar for the Navy), and Mr. V. N. Pavlov (interpreter).

Today’s meeting adjourned at 1855, when the conferees proceeded to the banquet room in the Palace where a buffet lunch was served them. It was noted that the maitre d’hotel at Cecilienhof was none other than Mr. Goberidge, who managed President Roosevelt’s cuisine at Yalta.

The President and party left Cecilienhof at 1909 for the Little White House, where they arrived at 1920.

Mail arrived from Washington this afternoon.

1945: Dinner at the Little White House. Secretary Stimson, General Marshall, Admiral King and General Arnold were guests of the President. Dinner music was provided by an excellent stringed orchestra with Sergeant Eugene List, noted American pianist, at the piano.

After dinner the President signed mail that arrived in today’s pouch.

At 2300 the President’s nephew, Sergeant Harry Truman (son of Mr. J. Vivian Truman) arrived at Potsdam. While talking to Lieutenant General Lee at Antwerp last Sunday, the President mentioned that his nephew was in the European Theatre and that he would like to see him. Sergeant Truman was on board the Queen Elizabeth ready to sail for home at the time, but General Lee got him off the ship in time and had him flown to Babelsberg for a visit with the President.

Cecilienhof Palace in Potsdam – where the conference was held – was the country estate of the former Crown Prince Wilhelm. The residence, a two-story brownstone house, is located near Griebnitz Lake and has beautifully landscaped gardens. The high-roofed house is built in four wings forming a square with a courtyard in the center. The courtyard was brilliantly carpeted with a 24-foot red star of geraniums, pink roses and hydrangeas planted by the Soviets. The flags of the three Allied nations flew over the main entrance to the Palace.

Cecilienhof had been used as a hospital during the war by both the Germans and the Soviets and had been stripped of all its furnishings. The Russians performed a marvelous job in refitting it for the conference, however. It was, perhaps, furnished even better during the conference than originally. Its furniture and furnishings had been brought in from Moscow.

At Cecilienhof President Truman, Mr. Churchill, and the Generalissimo each had a suite, and each delegation had a retiring room and offices.

98

The Syonan Shimbun (July 18, 1945)

Potsdam confab opens

LISBON (Domei, July 17) – With Soviet Premier Josef Stalin’s arrival at Potsdam, the three-power conference formally got underway at 5 o’clock this evening, Moscow Radio announced today.

Stalin was reported to have lunched with Truman and Byrnes. Churchill lunched with American Secretary of War Henry Stimson.

99

Editorial: Potsdam pointers

America and Britain may be hoping to achieve great things at Potsdam, but it is very doubtful if any noteworthy benefit will accrue to them out of this conference between Stalin, Truman and Churchill. The basic political aims of the Anglo-Americans on the one side, and the Russians on the other, are so diametrically opposed that there can be no agreement which can satisfy both parties. On the contrary there is every reason to feel that they will leave Potsdam more suspicious of each other than ever before.

For example, the Anglo-Americans would do anything to shift some of the burdens of the Pacific war on to the shoulders of Soviet Russia, but Stalin is no fool. It suits him admirably to pursue his fundamental peace policy of rehabilitating war-torn Europe according to Soviet ideas, facilitated by the circumstance that America and Britain, Russia’s opponents, are steeped in a bloodier war than that against Germany, and continue to be bled white by Nippon’s indomitable fighting forces.

Problems affecting Soviet interests in the Dardanelles and Mediterranean cannot be solved to the advantage of the Soviet Union by a weak Russia; Stalin will continue to hold the whip-hand over the Anglo-Americans on these and other points at issue so long as the Anglo-Americans remain embroiled in the Pacific. So it can be seen that Russia has nothing to gain, but much to lose, by interfering in the Far East war against Nippon. Chungking also is significantly courting Moscow at the expense of Washington. The Anglo-Americans are being licked by Russia, politically and economically in post-war Europe, just as assuredly as they are being licked militarily in the Pacific by Nippon.

1 Like
100

Salzburger Nachrichten (July 18, 1945)

Potsdamer Verhandlungen aufgenommen

Präsident Truman und Ministerpräsident Churchill fahren durch Berlin

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101

L’Aube (July 18, 1945)

La « diplomatie secrète » triomphe –
Le sort de l‘univers est ile à la conférence de Potsdam

Mais on ne sait rien sur elle, sinon que les « Trois Grands » auront de beaux fauteuils et contempleront des géraniums

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102

La conférence du « blackout »

par Maurice Schumann

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103

U.S. State Department (July 18, 1945)

860c.00/7-1845: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy to the Acting Secretary of State

Caserta, July 18, 1945 — 10 a.m.
Secret
2979

War Office informed AFHQ that Daily Telegraph reported extracts from an apparently inflammatory speech on July 11 by General Anders and the Observer of July 15 reported rebuke issued to Anders by SAC. AFHQ was requested to report as War Office “most anxious” to know details.

AFHQ replied that it has no knowledge of any such speech and cited cordial visit Anders to SAC on July 13. No rebuke at this or any other time. Anders issued order of the day on July 6 which not considered inflammatory. Message emphasizes “admirable” attitude Anders has taken under new circumstances. He is now touring Italy addressing all available men stating position in Poland as he knows it, but offers every facility to return with personal guarantee of no victimisation of those who choose to go. War Office further informed that at Anders’ request AFHQ arranging for segregation and return of those who desire to go to Poland.

KIRK

104

Meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 10 a.m.

JCS 197th Meeting

Present
Fleet Admiral Leahy Brigadier General Jamison
General of the Army Marshall Brigadier General Lincoln
Fleet Admiral King Brigadier General Esposito
General of the Army Arnold Captain McDill
General Somervell Captain Stroop
Lieutenant General Hull Captain Oster
Vice Admiral Cooke Colonel Peck
Rear Admiral Flanigan Colonel Dean
Rear Admiral Gardner Colonel Riggs
Major General Gross Colonel Stone
Major General Deane Colonel Donnelly
Major General Norstad Colonel Cary
Brigadier General Cabell Lieutenant Colonel Woodward
Secretariat
Brigadier General McFarland Captain Moore

JCS Minutes

Potsdam, July 18, 1945, 10 a.m.
[Extracts]
Top secret

Memorandum for the President on Unconditional Surrender Formula for Japan (JCS 1275/5)

ADMIRAL LEAHY presented the draft of a memorandum from the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the President as prepared by the Secretary and amended by GENERAL ARNOLD.

The memorandum was reviewed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and amended in certain respects.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff: Approved the memorandum for the President as amended during discussion.

Relation Between the Chiefs of Staff of the United States and of the Nations Participating in the War Against Japan (JCS 1423)

ADMIRAL LEAHY said that he had discussed this matter with the President, who considered that it was undesirable to bring up the question of a military alliance with the British at the present time. He considered that our relations with our allies were not sufficiently stabilized to warrant consideration of a permanent relationship between the military commands.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

French and Dutch Participation in the War Against Japan (CCS 842/1)

ADMIRAL KING and GENERAL MARSHALL each proposed changes in the draft memorandum contained in CCS 842/1. These changes were discussed at some length and a draft by GENERAL MARSHALL was modified in accordance with suggestions by ADMIRAL KING.

GENERAL MARSHALL also proposed changes in the draft letter by the British contained in CCS 842. He said that in case the British would not accept the draft proposed by the U.S. Chiefs of Staff that the U.S. Chiefs of Staff could consider the draft by the British as amended by him.

GENERAL MARSHALL’S changes in the proposed draft by the British were reviewed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and changes were made thereto.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff: Approved the substitute memorandum to the French and Netherlands Representatives to the Combined Chiefs of Staff proposed by GENERAL MARSHALL and directed that it be presented to the Combined Chiefs of Staff. (Subsequently circulated as CCS 842/2)

Staff Conversations with Portugal (CCS 462/25)

ADMIRAL LEAHY asked why this matter was being brought up at the present time.

ADMIRAL KING replied that it was because of the negotiations with the Portuguese in regard to Santa Maria which the Portuguese had insisted upon connecting with the question of liberating Timor.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff: Agreed that CCS 462/25 adequately expressed their views.

Disposition of Captured German Passenger Ships (JCS 1405/2)

GENERAL GROSS pointed out that the disposition of captured German passenger ships had already been covered by a memorandum to the President. Since, however, he understood that the British Chiefs of Staff intended to bring this matter up before the Combined Chiefs of Staff, he considered it wise to present a paper to the Combined Chiefs of Staff on the subject. He said that the point of issue was that the ships should be allocated in toto to the U.S. lift.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff: Approved the memorandum in the Enclosure to JCS 1405/2 and directed that it be presented to the Combined Chiefs of Staff. (Subsequently circulated as CCS 679/6)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .