Library WAC handles calls for Big Three at Potsdam
Sgt. Royer works on switchboard
…
Simms: Truman holds trump cards to play at Potsdam meeting
By William Philip Simms, Scripps-Howard foreign editor
…
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.
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.
Eliot: Russo-Sino talks of key importance
Points out possibility for another war after this
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot
…
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]
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.
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.
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
Salzburger Nachrichten (July 18, 1945)
Potsdamer Verhandlungen aufgenommen
Präsident Truman und Ministerpräsident Churchill fahren durch Berlin
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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
…
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
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)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
740.00119 PW/7-1845
The Joint Chiefs of Staff to the President
Washington [Babelsberg], 18 July 1945
Top secret
Memorandum for the President
The Joint Chiefs of Staff have considered the proposed proclamation by the Heads of State dealing with the unconditional surrender formula for Japan as prepared by the State, War and Navy Departments and forwarded to you.
From the military point of view the Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that the proclamation is generally satisfactory. They believe, however, that the wording of the last sentence in the next to the last paragraph might well be clarified. To some of the extreme devotees of the Emperor, the phrase, “This may include a constitutional monarchy under the present dynasty,” may be misconstrued as a commitment by the United Nations to depose or execute the present Emperor and install some other member of the Imperial family. To the radical elements in Japan, this phrase may be construed as a commitment to continue the institution of the Emperor and Emperor worship.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff therefore recommend that the next to the last paragraph of the proclamation be changed to read as follows:
The occupying forces of the Allies shall be withdrawn from Japan as soon as our objectives are accomplished and there has been established beyond doubt a peacefully inclined, responsible government of a character representative of the Japanese people.
This may include a constitutional monarchy under the present dynasty if it be shown to the complete satisfaction of the world that such a government will never again aspire to aggression.Subject to suitable guarantees against further acts of aggression, the Japanese people will be free to choose their own form of government.
Such a statement would involve no commitment by the United Nations to support of any particular form of Japanese government, would enable the United Nations to prevent the establishment of any unacceptable government and would be more likely to appeal to all elements of the Japanese populace.
From a strictly military point of view the Joint Chiefs of Staff consider it inadvisable to make any statement or take any action at the present time that would make it difficult or impossible to utilize the authority of the Emperor to direct a surrender of the Japanese forces in the outlying areas as well as in Japan proper.
For the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
WILLIAM D. LEAHY
Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy,
Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy
First meeting of the Foreign Ministers, 11 a.m.
| Present | ||
|---|---|---|
| United States | United Kingdom | Soviet Union |
| Secretary Byrnes | Foreign Secretary Eden | Foreign Commissar Molotov |
| Mr. Dunn | Sir Alexander Cadogan | Mr. Vyshinsky |
| Mr. Clayton | Sir William Strang | Mr. Gromyko |
| Mr. Harriman | Mr. Ward | Mr. Gusev |
| Mr. Cohen | Mr. Sobolev | |
| Mr. Bohlen | Mr. Novikov | |
| Mr. Thompson |
Thompson Minutes
Potsdam, July 18, 1945, 11 a.m.
Top secret
MR. MOLOTOV proposed that Mr. Byrnes preside at the meeting.
MR. BYRNES said that it had been agreed that they should discuss the creation of the Council of Foreign Ministers. The reasons for creating the Council were set forth in the memorandum which was submitted yesterday. He would like to know the views of the other Foreign Ministers.
MR. MOLOTOV again raised the question of China but said that if the Council was to deal with other than exclusively European affairs the objections to China’s participation would drop.
MR. BYRNES suggested that the Council be composed of five powers but that participation of China be limited to problems concerning the Far East or problems of worldwide significance. He explained that if the war with Japan should end soon they would in this manner have established the organization to deal with the problems of peace in the Far East. The other reason for including China was that China is one of the permanent members of the Security Council.
MR. EDEN said that if they were concerned only with European problems he would prefer four members and that in that case the meetings of the three Foreign Secretaries would merge with the new Council and probably also the European Advisory Commission would disappear and some form of secretariat would have to be set up. He agreed, however, that if the Council’s sphere was to be the world, China should be included.
MR. MOLOTOV proposed that the Council of Foreign Ministers should be established to deal with both European and non-European affairs and should be composed of five members.
MR. EDEN inquired if this meant four members for European affairs.
MR. MOLOTOV replied that so far as Europe was concerned the first task of the Council was to draft treaties of peace with Germany, Italy, Hungary, Rumania, and Bulgaria. Finland for some reason appeared to be omitted. France did not participate in the armistices with these countries. He had no question about French participation in the discussions relating to the peace with Germany and Italy but he thought that France should be excluded when the peace treaties with the other countries were being considered.
MR. EDEN thought this would be complicated as there would be three members for some purposes, four for some, and five for others.
MR. MOLOTOV pointed out that this was due to the actual situation.
MR. EDEN thought that the Council would consider day to day problems as well as those of peace in which event it would be well to include France.
MR. MOLOTOV pointed out that the last wording submitted by the United States delegation referred only to the peace treaties.
MR. BYRNES said that this was done to avoid delay which would occur if the Council were loaded with many diverse problems. He thought, however, that the Council might consider matters referred to it by the respective governments.
MR. EDEN observed that at the Crimea Conference it had been agreed to set up the meetings of the three Foreign Ministers. They had not had a formal meeting although they had an informal meeting in San Francisco. Was the Council to do the work of that body as well as the peace? He thought that it should.
MR. BYRNES said that was also his thought.
MR. MOLOTOV again pointed out that this differed from the American draft although the original draft contemplated broader functions for the Council. He thought it best to be content with the more limited arrangement.
MR. BYRNES said it was true that the earlier draft had been changed. This was done because of fear that pressure for consideration of other questions might delay the work of the Council. He had no objection to including language to provide that it could consider questions referred to it by governments. There was no point in the three Foreign Ministers making a separate trip to meet when they were already meeting in the Council.
MR. MOLOTOV thought it would be well to abide by the later American proposal and it would be possible subsequently to see whether it was advisable to widen the functions of the Council.
MR. EDEN then inquired what would happen to the meeting of the three Foreign Ministers.
MR. MOLOTOV thought this question might receive some consideration. He thought the European Advisory Commission should be terminated and that its members should be thanked.
MR. EDEN then inquired if he understood clearly that the meetings of the three Foreign Ministers would be continued and that the Council would consist of four or five members.
MR. BYRNES replied that the Council would consist of five members and suggested language to provide that China’s participation, so far as European affairs are concerned, should extend only to matters affecting Asiatic interests or of worldwide concern.
MR. MOLOTOV asked if it were settled that Finland should be mentioned.
MR. BYRNES replied that it was.
MR. MOLOTOV then proposed that paragraph 1 of the American draft be amended to provide that the composition of the Council should conform to the character of the matters under discussion.
MR. EDEN preferred to leave paragraph 1 as it was. The Soviet amendment would involve much discussion as to who would be present at each meeting.
MR. MOLOTOV said that while France had perhaps an interest in questions concerning Finland and Rumania, it was not a party to the armistice arrangements concerning those countries.
MR. BYRNES pointed out that the United States had not been at war with Finland and although it would be interested at Council meetings it would not sign any peace treaty with Finland. He assumed that the Council would prepare recommendations to the Governments relating to the terms of peace and in doing so would consider the views of a government which had not been at war. The Council, however, would not be called upon to make recommendations to France in a case where France was not at war.
MR. EDEN thought this would be difficult and pointed out that Vichy had not been at war with these countries whereas the de Gaulle movement was. France had not done much fighting against some of them but also the British had not done much fighting against the Finns because they could not get at them.
MR. MOLOTOV said the point was that France did not participate in the deliberations for an armistice. Of course, France could sign the treaty but the question was who was to make the preparation for it. He said his objections were not directed against France but were based on the fact that France did not participate in the armistice.
MR. EDEN then proposed amending the text to limit membership to those countries who had signed armistice agreements with the countries being considered.
MR. BYRNES agreed and thought that it would be possible to draft language in which all could concur.
MR. EDEN proposed that a drafting committee be set up but he still wished to know what would happen to the meeting of the three Secretaries. They could not keep meeting all the time as they were very busy. He had thought that the Council might have taken over this work.
MR. MOLOTOV pointed out that the Council would then have four members. He thought that it should be three and that if necessary they could add some other representatives.
MR. BYRNES said it had been his thought that the meetings of the three would not be affected. They could meet at the same time the Council met. It had been agreed at Yalta that they could discuss anything and he thought that this arrangement was not affected.
MR. EDEN said he would have liked the three to become four but if his colleagues thought otherwise he would have to agree.
MR. MOLOTOV proposed that they begin with three and see what happens. It would be possible to make changes if necessary.
A drafting committee to draw up the text was then appointed consisting of Mr. Dunn, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Vishinsky, Mr. Sobolev, Mr. Ward, and Mr. Dean. The drafting committee reported back later in the meeting and submitted a draft text (Attachment 1, final text).
Germany
MR. BYRNES suggested that the Foreign Ministers now discuss the question of the authority of the Control Council in political questions.
MR. MOLOTOV interposed that it would be desirable to discuss the disposition of the German fleet and merchant ships.
MR. BYRNES replied that he would prefer to begin with the discussion of the topic which he had suggested. He doubted if the Big Three could or should enter this afternoon into a discussion of the difficult and complicated mass of economic problems having to do with Germany. He suggested therefore that insofar as these problems were concerned the Foreign Ministers might appoint a subcommittee consisting of one or two representatives from their staffs which would examine these questions in the first instance and present to the Foreign Ministers those problems, one or two at a time, on which the subcommittee was unable to reach agreement. Such questions might be, for example, the relationship of restitution and war booty to the payment of essential imports or the application of the reparations program to the entire territory of Germany as it existed in 1937.
MR. EDEN inquired whether the Big Three should discuss any of these questions this afternoon.
MR. BYRNES replied that for this afternoon he suggested that they discuss only the authority of the Control Council in political questions. As to the authority of the Council in economic questions he thought that they might follow the procedure he had suggested under which the subcommittee of experts would present to the Foreign Ministers problems on which the subcommittee disagreed, and the Foreign Ministers would determine which of these problems should be recommended to the Big Three for discussion and decision.
MR. MOLOTOV remarked that the agenda for this afternoon’s meeting would therefore be:
- Topic 1 – Procedures for the peace settlements;
- Topic 2 – The political authority of the Control Council; and
- Topic 3 – The appointment of the subcommittee to deal with German economic questions.
MR. BYRNES replied that the Foreign Ministers themselves might well appoint this subcommittee, leaving therefore only two questions for discussion by the Big Three this afternoon.
MR. MOLOTOV reverted to his suggestion in regard to the disposition of the German fleet and merchant ships. He thought that the Big Three might well discuss more than three questions at this afternoon’s meeting. He added that the Polish question might also be considered.
MR. EDEN remarked that the disposition of the German fleet is really the simplest of all the questions before the house and might well be held until another meeting. He promised that the fleet would not be sunk in the meantime.
MR. MOLOTOV declared that he did not insist that this matter be settled today. He thought it should be dealt with rapidly. He pointed out that it is a question which is of a special interest [of especial interest?] to countries which have lost most of their fleet.
Poland
MR. BYRNES said that he agreed that the Big Three might well discuss the question of the liquidation of the London Polish Government.
MR. MOLOTOV added that this would include the discussion of all the problems related to the liquidation of that government.
MR. EDEN pointed out that this is only part of the Polish question and that there should also be discussed the matter of the implementation of the Yalta agreement on Poland, particularly the prompt holding of free and unfettered elections.
MR. BYRNES replied that all aspects of the Polish question should be discussed and there was general agreement on this point.
German Economic Problems
MR. BYRNES returned to his suggestion of the appointment of a subcommittee to deal with German economic problems. He expressed the view that this subcommittee should deal with all German economic matters, including reparations.
MR. MOLOTOV and MR. EDEN agreed.
Agenda for Big Three Meeting
It was thereupon agreed that the agenda for this afternoon’s meeting of the Big Three should consist of three items:
-
The procedures for peace negotiations and territorial settlements;
-
The political authority of the Control Council for Germany;
-
The Polish question, with particular reference to the liquidation of the London government, and the implementation of the Yalta agreement.
German Fleet
MR. MOLOTOV mentioned once again the disposition of the German fleet and merchant marine.
It was agreed at MR. EDEN’S suggestion that the Foreign Ministers would take up this subject soon but that they would not do so today.
Chairmanship of Foreign Ministers Meetings
It was agreed that the Chairmanship of the meetings would rotate and that the chairman of the day would act as rapporteur to the heads of governments.
Political Authority of the Control Council for Germany
MR. MOLOTOV declared that he had no objection to the placing of this subject on the agenda but that he had a number of questions in regard to the U.S. draft which had been circulated yesterday. As to paragraph (1) in regard to the authority of the Control Council, he felt that this matter had been decided upon in the EAC. If there were no changes of substance, he inquired why it was necessary to make any change in the language approved by the EAC.
MR. BYRNES replied that there were no changes of substance or no intention to make any material change in the decisions reached by the EAC.
MR. MOLOTOV said that the language seemed to be slightly different in its shades of meaning and he asked whether it was intended to strengthen the aspect of centralization as compared to the aspect of the zonal administration.
MR. BYRNES replied that there was no intention to change the relationship between the zones and the Control Council.
MR. MOLOTOV said that if there was no intention to change, a drafting subcommittee could easily reconcile the language, and this suggestion was approved.
MR. MOLOTOV then referred to 2(i)(a). He pointed out that prisoners of war cannot be said to be demobilized and inquired whether there was any intention by this paragraph to change the status of prisoners of war.
MR. BYRNES replied that there was no such intention.
It was agreed that the drafting subcommittee could deal with the language on this point.
MR. MOLOTOV said that he had an amendment to propose on paragraph 2(i)(b) but that he would not go into the details of this at this time.
MR. MOLOTOV proposed the following new wording for paragraph 3:
In addition to measures already adopted all Fascist law, as well as all Fascist decrees, orders, instruments should be abolished as directed against democratic liberties, civil rights, and the interests of the German nation. Discrimination on grounds of race, creed or political opinion established by Nazi law should be liquidated. No such discrimination, whether legal, administrative or otherwise, shall be tolerated.
MR. BYRNES replied that this suggestion seemed to him at first glance to be satisfactory but that the drafting committee could work out the language.
MR. EDEN pointed out that the British delegation had a number of small drafting points which they would turn over to the drafting committee.
MR. MOLOTOV then suggested that the language of the last sentence [of] paragraph 5 should be eliminated in order to remove any possible loopholes for the retention of Nazis in office.
MR. EDEN said he had thought the sentence referred only to non-Nazis.
MR. BYRNES pointed out that it might refer to those who had been only nominal participants in the Nazi party or who had been members of the party under duress. He thought that in some cases it might be useful to use persons of this type in public administration but he suggested, in order to make the point perfectly clear, the insertion of the word “other” before the word “Germans” in this sentence.
MR. MOLOTOV stated that he preferred to drop the sentence altogether, and MR. BYRNES said that he would have no objection.
MR. EDEN felt that there should be somewhere in the document the concept of an official holding office only subject to good behavior.
MR. MOLOTOV replied that he felt that this went without saying.
MR. BYRNES said that he was inclined to feel that there should be an indication of this kind in the document but that he would agree either to placing it at some other point or dropping it altogether.
MR. MOLOTOV urged that it be dropped altogether.
MR. MOLOTOV then referred to paragraph 7(i). He inquired whether it is not too soon to start holding elections.
MR. BYRNES replied that the objective, i.e., decentralization of the political structure and development of local responsibility, is stated in the introduction to the paragraph and that the Control Commission will decide when it is appropriate to hold elections. He referred to paragraph 7(iii), which states that elective principles shall be introduced into the higher political units as soon as the results of local self-government seem to warrant.
MR. MOLOTOV still felt that elections at this time would be premature.
MR. BYRNES replied that if they are premature, they will not be held, and the matter is within the discretion of the Control Commission.
MR. EDEN expressed the view that all would agree that elections at this moment are premature but that they should be held whenever possible. He felt that a reservation of the same character as that in 7(iii) should be introduced into 7(i).
MR. BYRNES agreed that this would be acceptable, pointing out that the essential is that the Germans should bear as much responsibility as possible for the carrying on of local affairs.
MR. MOLOTOV suggested the following redraft of paragraph 7(i): “Local self-government shall be restored all over Germany on democratic principles with due regard for safeguarding military and state security.”
MR. MOLOTOV pointed out that this language contained no reference to elections. He felt that this should be left to the discretion of the occupying powers. There should be a general tendency in this direction but we should be cautious in proceeding with it. He felt the U.S. language to be too categorical.
MR. BYRNES said that he had no objection to qualifying 7(i) in the same way as 7(iii) but that he felt any reservation in regard to elections to be not strictly applicable since it is recognized the world over that elections are the proper means of having democratic governments.
MR. EDEN suggested adding to 7(i) the words “at the discretion of the Control Council.”
MR. BYRNES agreed, but MR. MOLOTOV felt the question should be further discussed.
As to paragraph 7(iv) MR. MOLOTOV inquired whether the prohibition on the establishment of a central German political government implied the establishment of some other form of government.
MR. BYRNES agreed that the word might well be stricken since any form of government is in fact political.
MR. MOLOTOV inquired whether some form of central economic administration is intended.
MR. BYRNES replied that he assumed that some central administration for such matters as currency and transport would be necessary.
MR. MOLOTOV concluded that he had some further additions to suggest but felt that they could be dealt with by the drafting subcommittee.
MR. EDEN then suggested that in paragraph 8 after the words “shall be permitted” there be added the words “and any existing instructions will be progressively relaxed.” It seemed to him that it would be undesirable to give Germany freedom of the press all at once.
MR. BYRNES pointed out that under the terms of the paragraph freedom of the press would be subject to military security and inquired as to what other reasons [existed why] this freedom should be limited.
MR. EDEN took the position that the matter should be clarified, pointing out that we would not allow the press to start preaching Nazi doctrine or attacking Allied governments.
MR. MOLOTOV said that he also had an amendment on this paragraph but would refer it to the drafting subcommittee.
MR. BYRNES, returning to paragraph 7(i) took the view that we would wish to consider this language very carefully. If in the U.S. zone we thought that a given community was ready to hold elections, to make this decision subject to the authority of the Control Council might be too restrictive.
MR. EDEN expressed the view that insofar as possible we should attempt to follow the same policy in all zones. He felt that it would be a pity if some held elections while others did not.
MR. BYRNES replied that conditions might warrant elections in one place but not in another.
MR. EDEN felt that in that case the four governments as represented in the Control Commission should decide where elections were warranted.
MR. BYRNES stated that we would be inclined to accept the British judgment as to whether elections were appropriate in a given community in the British zone and that no administering authority should be precluded from starting the democratic processes if it thought the communities in question were ready. He agreed, however, that the drafting subcommittee should work out appropriate language.
MR. EDEN expressed doubt as to whether the drafting subcommittee could revise this document in time for consideration by the Big Three this afternoon. He thought, however, the Big Three might discuss the subject in general terms even though the draft of the text had not been completed.
MR. BYRNES agreed and said that he would wish to appoint on the subcommittee dealing with German economic problems Mr. Clayton and Mr. Pauley.
MR. MOLOTOV said that he would appoint Mr. Maiski and Mr. Arutunian.
MR. EDEN said that he would appoint Sir David Waley and Mr. Coulson.
MR. BYRNES then named as American representatives on the subcommittee working on German political questions Mr. Matthews and Mr. Cohen.
MR. EDEN named Sir William Strang and Mr. Harrison.
MR. MOLOTOV designated Mr. Vyshinski and Mr. Semenov.
The Foreign Ministers then returned to the discussion of the question of the Council of Foreign Ministers, the subcommittee appointed for this purpose having completed its proposed draft.
MR. MOLOTOV proposed that their draft be adopted although he still wished to consider the advisability of clarifying paragraph 1 of the American draft. MR. MOLOTOV proposed and was supported by MR. EDEN and MR. BYRNES that the words “each of” be amended in the text submitted by the drafting committee. This was agreed to.
MR. BYRNES said that he thought that if each of the five Governments wished that the Council should consider a subject other than the question of peace they should be free to do so and he proposed that the sentence covering this point be included.
MR. MOLOTOV thought that if the five were agreed this could of course be done but it would be better to omit much of it in order not to divert attention from the main task.
MR. BYRNES thought that the five Governments would refer only important questions to the Council and that it would be for the Council to determine the order in which they would be considered.
MR. MOLOTOV agreed to this and said that it should be placed on record that the European Advisory Commission had finished its task.
MR. EDEN suggested that it should be stated that the Control Commission would take over the remaining task of the EAC. He pointed out, however, that it would be necessary to have the agreement of the French.
MR. BYRNES said that the decision could be expressed in this way.
Italy
MR. BYRNES observed that the President had yesterday raised the question of Italy becoming a member of the United Nations Organization and he wondered if it would not be possible to decide this matter.
MR. MOLOTOV thought that this question should wait for a day or two as they had not had time to study it.
The meeting adjourned.
Rapporteur’s Report of the Meeting of Foreign Ministers
Potsdam, July 18, 1945, 11 a.m.
The Foreign Ministers agreed that they would recommend to the Heads of Governments that the subjects for discussion at the meeting this afternoon, July 18th, should be the following:
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The question of procedure and machinery for peace negotiations and territorial settlements.
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The question of the authority of the Control Council for Germany in political questions.
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The Polish question, particularly the problems having to do with the liquidation of the former London Polish Government and with the implementation of the Yalta Agreement on Poland.
I. Procedure for peace settlements
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The draft proposal for the establishment of a Council of Foreign Ministers, presented by the United States, was approved in principle.
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The following redraft of paragraph 3 of the United States draft was approved:
- As its immediate important task, the Council would be authorized to draw up, with a view to their submission to the United Nations, treaties of peace with Italy, Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland, and to propose settlements of territorial questions outstanding on the termination of the war in Europe. The Council shall be utilized for the preparation of a peace settlement for Germany to be accepted by the Government of Germany when a government adequate for the purpose is established.
For the discharge of each of these tasks the Council will be composed of the Members representing those States which were signatory to the Terms of Surrender imposed upon the enemy State concerned.
Other matters may from time to time be referred to the Council by agreement between the States Members thereof.
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The Soviet Delegation reserved the right to suggest a change in the first paragraph of the United States draft.
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It was agreed that the meetings of the three Foreign Ministers approved at the Yalta Conference would not be affected by the establishment of the new Council of Foreign Ministers, though they might at times be held simultaneously with meetings of the Council.
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It was agreed that the functions of the European Advisory Commission would, after agreement with France, be transferred to the Allied Control Councils (for Germany and Austria).
II. Political authority of the Control Council for Germany
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The political section of the proposed agreement, presented by the United States, on the political and economic principles to govern the treatment of Germany in the initial control period was discussed by the Foreign Ministers. A number of amendments were suggested which were referred to a drafting subcommittee named by the Foreign Ministers. The subcommittee has not yet completed its work but the Foreign Ministers agreed that it would be desirable for the Heads of Governments at this afternoon’s meeting to have a preliminary and exploratory discussion of the authority of the Control Council for Germany in political matters.
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The Foreign Ministers agreed that the economic questions connected with Germany are of such a difficult nature that they should be referred in the first instance to a subcommittee of experts. This subcommittee will at the earliest possible time report back to the Foreign Ministers those questions upon which the subcommittee is unable to reach agreement. The Foreign Ministers will then determine which of these questions they will recommend that the Heads of Governments will discuss and decide.
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The Foreign Ministers agreed that, while they would not discuss today the question of the disposition of the German fleet and merchant ships, they would take up this question at an early date.
III. Polish question
The Foreign Ministers agreed that they would recommend that the Heads of Governments discuss at this afternoon’s meeting the Polish question. They suggested two aspects of this question as requiring consideration: (1) all of the various problems connected with the liquidation of the former London Polish Government; and (2) the questions connected with the continued implementation of the Yalta Declaration on Poland, especially the arrangements for the early holding of free and unfettered elections.
740.00119 (Potsdam)/7-1845
Report by the Subcommittee on the Council of Foreign Ministers
[Potsdam, July 18, 1945]
Top secret
I. Procedure for Peace Settlements
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The draft proposal for the establishment of a Council of Foreign Ministers, presented by the United States, was approved in principle.
-
The following redraft of paragraph 3 of the United States draft was approved:
- As its immediate important task, the Council would be authorized to draw up, with a view to their submission to the United Nations, treaties of peace with Italy, Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland, and to propose settlements of territorial questions outstanding on the termination of the war in Europe. The Council shall be utilized for the preparation of a peace settlement for Germany to be accepted by the Government of Germany when a government adequate for the purpose is established.
For the discharge of each of these tasks the Council will be composed of the Members representing those States which were signatory to the Terms of Surrender imposed upon the enemy State concerned.
Other matters may from time to time be referred to the Council by agreement between the States Members thereof.
-
The Soviet Delegation reserved the right to suggest a change in the first paragraph of the United States Draft.
-
It was agreed that the meetings of the three Foreign Ministers approved at the Yalta Conference would not be affected by the establishment of the new Council of Foreign Ministers, though they might at times be held simultaneously with meetings of the Council.
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It was agreed that the functions of the European Advisory Commission would, after agreement with France, be transferred to the Allied Control Councils (for Germany and Austria).
[Annex]
Council of Five Foreign Ministers
Alternative Drafts Considered by Drafting Committees
A. (Accepted by U.S. and British members of Drafting Committee).
For the discharge of each of these tasks the conclusions of the Council will be prepared for submission to the United Nations by those members who represent States which are at war with the enemy State concerned, but other members may be invited to participate in the Council’s discussions.
B. (Proposed by Soviet member of Drafting Committee).
For the discharge of each of these tasks the Council will be composed of the members representing those States which were signatory to the terms of surrender imposed upon the enemy State concerned, but other members may be invited to participate in the Council’s discussions.
C. (Possible compromise).
For the discharge of each of these tasks the Council will be composed of the members representing those States which were signatory to the terms of surrender imposed upon the enemy State concerned. For the purposes of the peace settlement for Italy, France shall be regarded as a signatory to the terms of surrender for Italy.
Other members should be invited to participate when matters of interest to them are under discussion.