FDR and Stalin - July-December 1944

National Archives and Records Service Franklin D. Roosevelt Library MAP ROOM PAPERS Box 9 Roosevelt to Stalin July - December, 1944 17 July 1944 PRIORITY From: Opnav To I Aluana, Moscow NUMBER 27. AND PERSONAL. FROM THE PRESIDENT FOR MARSHAL STALIN. Things are moving so fast and 80 successfully that I feel there should be & meeting between you and Mr. Churchill and no in the reasonably near future. The Prime Minister is in hearty accord with this thought. I am now on & trip in the far West and must be in Washington for several weeks on my return. It would, therefore, be best for ne to have a meeting between the tenth and fifteenth of September. The most central point for you and me would be the north of Scotland. I could go by ship and you could come either by ship or by plane. Your Army is doing so magnificently that the hop would be much shorter to Scotland than the one taken by Molotov two years 1 ago. I hope you can let me have your thoughts. Secrecy and security can be maintained either aboard ship or on shore. ROOSEVELT DECLASSIFIED Released from the White House Vap Room at 1015, ENT, 17 July 1944. By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By I. J. Stewart Date MAR 9 1972 RICHARD PARK, JR. Colonel, General Staff. 1. Underlined sentence deleted before delivery to Stalin. See attached dispatches and STATUS SLIP. DISPATCH DRAFTER EXT. ADDRESSEES PRECEDENCE ALUSNA MUSCOW ASTERISK (*) MAILGRAM ADDRESSEE URGENT 1 FROM PRIORITY = 3 RELEASED BY FOR ACTION ROUTINE 4 18 JULY 1944 THE PRESIDENT DEFERRED 5 DATE BASEGRAM 6 1059/18 7 TOR CODEROOM Recd. - 18/12/07 8 REEGAN PRIORITY 9 DECODED BY COOK PARAPHRASED CHECKED COOK INFORMATION Sent Red 142 30 ROUTINE 11 BY BY 18/1240Z &P DEFERRED 18 COOK DITTOED COOK ROUTED BY BASEGRAM 13 BY 14 UNLESS PAGE GET(2 DISPATER WILL 181052 BITH DEFERRED ADMINISTRATIVE. IF OPERATIONAL 15 CHECK BELOW 30 17 18 Originator till in DATE AND TIME GROUP (Use 6. c. T.) 19 ON OUTGOING DISPATCHES PLEASE LEAVE ABOUT ONE INCH CLEAR SPACE BEFORE BEGINNING TEXT 20 21 PERSONAL AND - FOR THE PRESIDENT FROM HARRIMAN 22 23 24 I RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONSIDER OMITTING FROM YOUR MESSAGE 25 26 TO MARSHALL STALIN YOUR SEE 171442 THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE 27 28 QUOTE YOUR ARMY IS DOING so MAGNIFICIENTLY THAT THE HOP 29 30 WOULD BE MUSH SHORTER TO SCOTLAND THAN THE ONE TAKEN BY 31 32 MOLOTOV TWO YEARS AGO UNQUOTE. THE IMPLICATION OF THIS 33 34 SENTENCE IS THAT MARSHALL STALIN SHOULD FLY OVER ENEMY OCCUPIED 36 TERRITORY. BECAUSE OF THE DANGERS INHERENT IN SUCH A 37 38 FLIGHT 4 FEEL THERE MAY BE RESENTMENT ON THE PART OF STALINS 39 40 PRINCIPAL ADVISORS WHICH MIGHT JEOPARDIZE THE PROSPECTS 41 42 OF THE MEETING ITSELF. BECAUSE OF THE REAL FEAR THAT 1 43 44 HAVE OF SUCH A REACTION BY THE SOVIETS I HAVE TAKEN THE 45 46 47 48 40 I ADMIRAL. No. 2 FILE. No. 3F-1 OR CHARTROOM. No. 4 SPECIAL. 50 51 ET 52 Handle only is accordance with "Top Secret* insfructions contained in Article 18, Havy Regulations. COPT so. # DECLASSIFIED 2 OPRAY 19-70 73 state BY RX MAR 91972 Date ISPATCH DEAFTER EXT. ADDRESSEES PRECEDENCE ALUSNA MOSCON ASTERISK (*) MAILGRAM ADDRESSEE 1 FROM PRIORITY = 3 RELEASED BY, FOR ACTION ROUTINE 4 THE PRESIDENT DEFERRED 5 DATE BASEGRAM 6 7 TOR CODEROOM 6 PRIORITY 9 DECODED BY PARAPHRASED CHECKED BY BY INFORMATION 20 ROUTINE 11 DEFERRED 18 DITTOED ROUTED BY BY BASEGRAM 13 14 UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED THIS DISPATER WILL " TRANSMITTED WITH DEFFRRED PRECEDENCE AND as ADMINISTRATIVE. IF OPERATIONAL 15 PAGE 2 OF 2 181050 NCR 3799 CHECK BELOW 36 17 18 Originator till in DATE AND TIME GROUP (Use G. c. T.) 29 DM OUTGOING DISPATCHES PLEASE LEAVE ABOUT ONE INCH CLEAR SPACE BEFORE BEGINNING TEXT 20 21 22 23 t LIBERTY OF HOLDING DELIVERY OF YOUR MESSAGE <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 24 25 AWAITING YOUR REPLY. 26 27 28 29 30 DECLASSIFIED 31 as State Dept. letter, 1-11-78 33 E RT MAR 9 1972 34 Date 35 36 37 38 30 40 41 NAVAIDE(M) & #2) CT 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 I ADMIRAL. NO. 2 FILE. No. 3F-1 OR CHARTROOM. No. 4 SPECIAL. 60 51 sa Hundle only is accordance with "Tep Decret* insfructions contained in article 78, Savy Regulations. COPT no. OPEAV 19-78 18 July 1944 PRIORITY From: Opnav To : Aluana, Moscow NUMBER 29. PERSONAL AND FROM THE PRESIDENT FOR AMBASSADOR HARRIMAN. Replying to your message 181050, you are authorized to delete before delivery the following sentence: QUOTE. Your Army is doing so magnificently that the hop would be much shorter to Scotland than the one taken by Molotov two years ago. UNQUOTE. ROOSEVELT Released from the White House Map Room at 1450, ENT, 18 July 1944 Oglen OGDEN 8. COLLINS, JR. Lieutenant, U.S.M.R. h Popoty DECLASSIFIED Archivist of the U.S. m F. 3. Stewart DatMAR 9.1972 TAB 14 FROM THE PRESIDENT TO MARSHAL STALIN SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE #27, 17 July 44. TOR MAP ROOM VIA SUBJECT: Suggested conference in Scotland with Prime Minister. ACTION: 1. PRESIDENT-STALIN #27 written by the President on Hawaii-Alaska trip. Sent to the Map Room for transmission to Stalin as BLUE 35, 17 July 44. 2. In HARRIMAN-PRESIDENT 181050 July (filed herewith), Harriman recommended deletion of a sentence from PRESIDENT-STALIN #27. Sent to President as RED 142. 3. Reply approving deletion written by the President; sent to Map Room as BLUE 39; sent to Harriman as PRESIDENT-HARRIMAN #29, 18 July 44. 4. PRESIDENT-STALIN #27 therefore was delivered by Harriman to Stalin with deletion of the paragraph, "Your Army is doing 80 mag- nificently that the hop would be much shorter to Scotland than the one taken by Molotov two years ago." (Underlined in File Copy of dispatch.) 5. Answered by STALIN-PRES 22 JULY Who COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: 210 PRES-PM Conferences. = 27 July 1944 TOP SECRET PRIORITY From: Opnav To : Alusna, Moscow NUMBER 31. PERSONAL AND FROM THE PRESIDENT TO MARSHAL STALIN. I have received your telegram about the Polish situation and I hear from the Prime Minister that Mikolajcayk is leaving to call on you. It goes without saying that I greatly hope you can work this whole matter out with him to the best advantage of our common effort. e ROOSEVELT Released from the White House Map Room at 0700, ENT, 27 July 1944 by F. H. GRAHAM, Capt, AGD. By Deputy DECLASSIFIED Archivist of the U.S. By V. J. Stewart Date APR 27 1972 271220 NER 5937 X FROM The President TO Marshal Stalin SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE 31, 27 July 44 TOR MAP ROOM VIA SUBJECT: POLISH-RUSSIAN RELATIONS ACTION: 1. The Prime Minister, in his #735, 25 July 44, informed the Pres- ident of Mikolajezyk's going to Moscow, and stated "anything you say to Stalin that will induce him to give Mikolajczyk a good welcome will be invaluable." This message was transmitted to the President on HAWAII/ALASKA trip as RED 180. 2. In STALIN-PRES 23 July 44, Stalin forwarded to President copy of message he sent to Churchill. Sent to President as RED 172, 24 July 44. 3. In BLUE 47, the President sent & message to the Map Room for trans- mission to Stalin, which ansers both messages in 1 & 2 above. 4. Answered by Para 2 of STALIN-PRES 2 AUG 44. COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: 052 POLISH-RUSSIAN RELATIONS (COPY) s 27 July 1944 PRIORITY From: Opnav To : Alusna, Moscow NUMBER 32. AND PERSONAL. FOR MARSHAL STALIN FROM THE PRESIDENT. I can fully understand the difficulty of your coming to a conference with the Prime Minister and me in view of the rapid military progress now being made but I hope you can keep such a conference very much in mind and that we can meet as early as possible. Such a meeting would help ne domestically and we are approaching the time for further strategical decisions. ROOSEVELT Released from the White House Map Room at 070, EXT, 27 July 1944 by F. H. GRAHAM, Capt, AOD. DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By 1. J. Stewart DateAPR 2.7.1972 j 27/0/1 NCR 5934 FROM The President TO Earshal Stalin SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE #32, 27 July 44. TOR MAP ROOM VIA SUBJECT: Suggested conference in Scotland with Prime Minister ACTION: 1. Answers STALIN-PRES 22 JULY 44, which was sent to the President on Hawaii/Alaska trip as RED 171. 2. "ritten by the President; sent to the Map Room as BLUE 50, 27 July 44, for transmission to Stalin. 3. Answered by STALIN-PRES 2 AUG We COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: 210 PRES-PM Conferences. 12 august 1944 PRIORITY From: Opnav To: Alusna, Moscow NUMBER 42. FROM THE PRESIDENT TO MARSHAL STALIN. AND PERSONAL. I am most grateful for your telegram of August 9 in which you were good enough to give me a resume of Prime Minister Mikolajczyk's conversations in Moscow both with you and with the Polish Committee. As you know it is my earnest hope that some solution satis- factory to all concerned will emerge out of these conversations and which will permit the formation of an interim legal and truly representative Polish Government. In regard to Lange, I am sure you will recognize the dif- ficulty of this Government taking official action at this stage. Of course he as a private citizen has every right under our law to do what he sees fit, including the renunciation of his Amer- ican citizenship. You will, I am sure, understand why, under the circumstances and particularly pending the outcome of the conversations between Premier Mikolajczyk, whose Government we still recognize officially, and the Polish Committee, the Government of the United States does not want to become involved in nor express any opinion concerning the request of the Polish Committee that Professor Lange Join it as head of the section on Foreign Affairs. ROOSEVELT Released from the White House Map Room at 0530, EWT, 12 August 1944 BOYCE P. PRICE, Captain CE ASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By 1. J. Stewart DateAPR 27 1972 MAI RED 306 11 August 1944 FROM STETTINIUS TO THE PRESIDENT: In regard to the question of Professor Lange there is much more involved in the present suggestion than there was in his previous visit as a private citimen to the Soviet Union, and I do not see how this Government can lend its support or offer any facilities to an American citizen, even should he renounce such citizenship, accepting an official post in a Committee which is frankly and openly a rival to the government which we officially recognize. Any such action on our part, apart from its obvious impropriety would be particularly unfortunate at this moment when, as Stalin indicates, the conversations between Mikolajozyk and the Polish Committee offer some prospect of compromise solution. The desire to have Professor Lange is obviously a tactical move designed to strengthen the claims of the Polish Committee to be recognized as the legal government of Poland, since until Poland is liberated and such govern- ment set up, questions of foreign affairs do not arise. Any disinclination to have Dr. Lange go over now to take a post on this Polish Committee would be without prejudice to any question of his being invited later to accept a portfolio of a Polish government legally con- stituted as a result of & reconstruction of that government following the present conversations between Mikolajesyk and the Polish Committee. Proposed answer to Stalin: "I am most grateful for your telegram of August 9 in which you were good enough to give me a resume of Prime Minister Mikolajosyk's conversations in Moscow both with you and with the Polish Committee. "As you know it is my earnest hope that some solution satisfactory to all concerned will emerge out of these conversations, which will permit the formation of an interim legal and truly representative Polish Government. Sent Blue 112. DECLASSIFIED 1-11-78 AT By BatMAR 91972 The difficulty they office , am suss you this will government of at This "In regard to Lange, or course he às a private citizen has every stage right under our law to do what he sees fit, including the renunciation of his American citizenship. You will, I an sure, understand why, under the circumstances and particularly pending the outcome of the conversations still between Premier Mikolajosyk, whose government we recognize, and the to Polish Committee, the Government of the United States the become involved in or express any opinion concerning the request of the Polish Committee that Professor Lange join it as head of the Section on Foreign Affairs." DECLASSIFIED State Dept. letter, 1-22-78 RT By Date MAR 9 1972 FROM The President TO Marshal Stalin SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE 42, 12 Aug 44 TOR MAP ROOM VIA SUBJECT:, Polish-Russian relations; visit of Lange to Moscow ACTION: 1. For complete file on this subject, see "MR 052 POLISH-RUSSIAN RELATIONS") Answers STALIN-PRES, 9 Aug 44. which was sent to the President on HAWAII/ALASKA trip as RED 293, 10 Aug 44. 2. BLUE 103, 11 Aug lake, President referred message to SecState with comment, "What reply do you suggest sending to Marchal Stalin's RED 293. It is my thought that we can raise no objection to Prodessor Lange's going as he is really a free agent and we let him go once before." 3. SecState replied in meno to the President, 11 Aug 44, attaching draft message to Stalin, which was sent to the President as RED 306. 4. President approved draft reply, with minor change in last paratraph, sent to Map Room for transmission to Stalin as BLUE 112; sent to Stalin 12 Aug 44. 3. No direct reply by Stalin. COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: 052 POLISH-RUSSIAN HELATIONS. FROM: THE PRESIDENT TO : MARSHAL STALIM DATE: 19 AUGUST 1944 I have just seen our commanders in the Pacific Theater. I an highly pleased with the progress that is being made but greatly in- pressed with the magnitude of the task. Harriman has reported to no your agreement to inaugurate promptly planning for future joint cooper- ation between our respective forces. General Deane has told ne of the proposals which he submitted to the Red Army General Staff concerning Soviet American collaboration. I hope that you will instruct your staff to pursue expeditionaly the joint preparation of plane with the United States Military Mission in Moscow which has been authorized to represent the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff in this planning in preparation for the time when you are ready to act. I feel that there 10 nothing we could do now that would be of more assistance in preparing to bring the Pacific war to a speedy conclusion. ROOSEVELT Sent through Ambassador Harriman (Navy Channels). FROM The President TO Marchal Stalin SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE 19 Aug 44. TOR MAP ROOM VIA SUBJECT: Use of Soviet far eastern bases. ACTION: 1. Harriman's 180235Z, 18 Aug 44, to the President gave account of Harriman's remarks to Molotov re planning for joint use of Soviet far eastern bases. 2. In his #44 to Harriman, the President forwards suggested message to Stalin (prepared by Admiral Leahy) to be sent to Stalin at discretion of Harriman. In 2015502, Harriman notified President that message had been delivered to Stalin. 3. Answered by STALIN-PRES, 22 Aug Who COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: 530 JAPAN. 1 of FROM: THE PRESIDENT AND THE PRIME MINISTER TO : MARSHAL STALIN DATE: 20 AUGUST 1944 We are thinking of world opinion if the anti-Nazia in Warsaw are in effect abandoned. We believe that all three of us should do the utmost to save as many of the patriots there as possible. We hope that you will drop immediate supplies and munitions to the patriot Poles in Warsaw, OF will agree that our planes should do 44 very quickly or you will agree to help our planes in doing it very quickly.1 We hope you will approve. The time element is of extreme importance. CHURCHILL. ROOSEVELT 1. will agree - as originally drafted but deleted by Ambassadors Harriman and Clark Kerr. See Harriman's 201610 August 1944. will agree = addition by Ambassadors Harriman and Clark Kerr. FROM PRESIDENT/PRIME MINISTER TO MARSHAL STALIN SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE 20 AUGUST 1944 TOR MAP ROOM VIA SUBJECT: Dropping supplies to Warsaw. ACTION: 1. After Soviet refusal to allow U.S. aircraft to drop supplies to Warsaw, the Prime Minister suggested to the President that a joint message be sent to Stalin (PM-PRES #760, 18 Aug 44). 2. The President drafted a message for joint signature and sent it to the Prime Minister, suggesting that it be transmitted to Stalin if approved by the Prime Minister (PRES-PM #601, 19 Aug 44). 3. In PM-PRES #762, 20 Aug 44, the PM stated "The message in your #601 has been sent on to U.J. over our two signatures. Our thoughts are one." 4. On 20 Aug 44, Ambassador Harriman cabled the President that, after discussion with British Ambassador, they had changed the wording of a portion of the message to avoid misunderstanding and had delivered mes- sage to Stalin, (HARRIMAN-PRES, 201610 Aug 44, filed "MR 052 POLISH- RUSSIAN RELATIONS.") Changes shown on file copy of PRESIDENT/PRIME MINISTER-STALIN attached hereto. 5. In PRES-HARRIKAN #47, 23 Aug 44 (filed "MR 052 POLISH-RUSSIAN RELA- TIONS) the Pre ident informed Harriman that action taken by him and the British Ambassador, as stated in Harriman's 201610, was approved. 6. Answered by STALIN-PRES/PM 22 AUGUST 1944. COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: 052 POLISH-RUSSIANIRELATIONS. MT the PRIORITI 31 AUGUST 1944 PROM: OPNAV TO # ALUSNA, MOSCOW NUMBER 55, FROM THE PRESIDENT FOR AMBASSADOR HARRIMAN. Please deliver the following message from the President to Marshall Stalins -QUOTE. PERSONAL AND FROM THE PRESIDENT FOR MARSHAL STALIN. I an much concerned at the reference made by your delegation at Dus- barton Oaks that the Soviet Government might desire to have the sixteen con- stituent republics considered for individual membership in the new interna- tional organization. Although it was made clear by your delegation that this subject would not be raised again during this present stage of the conversations, I feel I must tell you that to reise this question at any stage before the final establishment and entry into its functions of the international organization would very definitely imperil the whole project, certainly as far as the United States is concerned and undoubtedly other important countries as well. I hope you will find it possible to reassure no on this point. This would not prejudice later discussion of the question after the organization came into being. The Assembly would then have fully authority to act. UNQUOTE. ROOSEVELT Released from the White House Map Room at 1830, ENT, 31 August 1944. OGDEN 8. COLLINS, Jr., * Lieutenant, U.S.N.R. DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By 1. J. Stewart DatePR 271972 4 September 1944 MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE This mezorundum is to inform you that the State Department draft of & message to Ambassador Harriman, incorporating a mes- sage to Stalin re representation of sixteen constituent republics in the new International Organization being formed at Dumbarton Oaks, was dispatched to Ambassador Harriman on 31 August 1944 as President's #55. This message was sent as drafted by the State Department, with the addition of the following paragraph at the end: "This would not prejudice later oiscussion of the question after the organization came into being. The Assembly would then have full authority to act." RICHARD PARK, JR., Colonel, General Staff. Assistent to the Vilitary Aide. - 1 - PREPARING OFFICE TO BE TRANSMITTED WILL INDICATE WHETHER TELEGRAM SENT SECRET Collect CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED Charge Department: Department of State CLEAR TOP SECRET Charge - Washington, #55 No Distribution AMEMBASSY MOSCOW FOR THE AMBASSADOR Please deliver the following message from the President to Marshal Stalin: QUOTE: PERSONAL AND SECRET FILOH THE PRESIDENT on MARSHAL STALIN. QUOTE I am much concerned at the reference made by your delegation at Dumbarton Oaks that the Soviet Govern- ment might desire to have the sixteen constituent republics considered for individual membership in the new interna- tional organization. Although it was made clear by your delegation that this subject would not be raised again during this present stage of the conversations, I feel I must tell you that to raise this question at any stage before the final establishment and entry into its functions of the international organization would very definitely imperil the whole project, certainly as far as the United States is concerned and un- doubtedly other important countries as well. I hope you will find it possible to reassure me on this point. (Rdd) This would not prejudice later discussion of the question after the organization came into being. The Assembly EE. CEB. would then have fully authority to act. Research DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By I.J. Stewart Date APR 2% 1972 FROM The President MARSHAL STALIN (via Ambassador TO Harriness) SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE #55, 31 August 1944 TOR MAP ROOM VIA SUBJECT: Dumbarton Oaks Conference; consideration of 16 Soviet constit- uent republics for individual membership. ACTION: 1. Draft dispatch written in State Department. 2. President approved with additional of Para at end of message. 3. Answered by STALIN-PRES, 7 Sept We COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: 8 September 1944 WILL PRIORITY From: Opnav To : Aluena, Moscow NUMBER 58. AND PERSONAL. FROM THE PRESIDENT FOR AMBASSADOR HARRIMAN, Please deliver the following message (SFAMB) from the President to Marshal Stalins QUOTE. AND PERSONAL FOR MARSHAL STALIN FROM THE PRESIDENT. I have just had a pleasant and interesting talk with your Ambassador in regard to the progress of the Dumbarton Oake talks. There is apparently only one issue of importance on which we have not yet reached agreement and that is the question of voting in the Council. The British and ourselves both feel strongly that parties to a dispute should not vote in the decisions of the Coun- eil even if one of the parties is a. permanent member of the Council, whereas I gather from your Ambassador that your Government holds the opposite view. Traditionally since the founding of the United States parties to a dispute have never voted in their own case and I know that public opinion in the United States would neither understand nor support a plan of international organization in which this principle was violated. Furthermore I know that this same view is held by many nations of the world and I am entirely convinced that the smaller nations would find it difficult to accept an international organization in which the great powers insisted upon the right to vote in the Council in disputes in which they themselves were involved. They would most certainly ... in that an attempt on the part of the great powers to set themselves up above the law. Finally, I would have real trouble with the Senate. For these reasons I hope you Own find it possible to instruct your delegation to agree with our suggestion - 1 - DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By V. J, Stewart Date APR 27 1972 on voting. If this can be done the talks at Dumbarton Oaks can be speedily con- cluded with complete and outstanding success. ROOSEVELT. UNIVOTE. ROOSEVELT Released from the White House Map Room at 1350, 8 September 1944. good St. Comdr USE TIREE, Ja. 081839 NCR 4026 8 September 1944 MEMORANDOM PORs The Under Secretary of State. There is returned herewith a copy of a message drafted by your office for transmission to Marshal Stalin. The message was dispatched with the addition by the President of the follow- ing sentences "Finally, I would have real trouble with the Senate." The additional sentence was inserted before the one beginning with the words: "For these reasons..." Very respectfully, ROBERT W. BOOUE, Lieutenant, USNR Enes State Dept. draft mag. 9/8/44 EE;CEB;LIS;DFS. DECLASSIFIED by Deputy Archivist of the U.S. " 1. J. Stewart Date APR 27 1972 106-2ECUEL Miss Tully: regert I am attaching a redraft of the telegram which was discussed with the President this morning, to be despatched immediately if it meets with his approval. PREPARING OFFICE TO BE TRANSMITTED WILL INDICATE WHETHER TELEGRAM SENT X SECRET I CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED Charge Department: Department of State liter Charge to Washington, OBCRET AMENBASSY MOSCOW PLEASE deliver the following message (SFAMB) from the President to Marshal Stalin: AND PERSONAL FOR MARSHAL STALIN FROM THE PRESIDENT. I have just had a pleasant and interesting talk with your Ambassador in regard to the progress of the Dumbarton Oaks talks. There is apparently only one issue of importance on which we have not yet reached agreement and that is the question of voting in the Council. The British and ourselves both feel strongly that parties to a dispute should not vote in the deci- sions of the Council even if one of the parties is a permanent member of the Council, whereas I gather from your Ambassador that your Government holds the opposite view. Traditionally since the founding of the United States parties to a dispute have never voted in their own case and I know that public opinion in the United DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. V. J. Stewart Date APR 27.1972 NOT SENT NOT TO BE RECORDED OR CONFIRMED UNTIL THIS COUPON HAS BEEN DETACHED BY THE TELEGRAPH OPERATOR PREPARING OFFICE TO BE TRANSMITTED WILL INDICATE WHETHER TELEGRAM SENT SECRET I CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED Department of State CLEAR Charge Departments Charge to Washington, -2- States would neither understand nor support a plan of international organization in which this principle was violated. Furthermore I know that this same view is held by many nations of the world and I am entirely convinced that the smaller nations (XXXXXXXXXXXX / would find it difficult to accept an international organiza- tion in which the great powers insisted upon the right to vote in the Council in disputes in which they them- selves were involved. They would most certainly see in that an attempt on the part of the great powers to set themselves up above the law. For these reasons I hope you will find it possible to instruct your dele- Firstly, 9 gation to agree with our suggestion on voting If this Reco can be done the talks at Dumbarton Oaks can be speedily yeal Tranble concluded with complete and outstanding success. with The smok. Romart EE:CEB:LIS:DFS cruz 9/8/44 DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S, By 1. J. Stewart Date APR 27 1972 NOT SENT NOT TO BE RECORDED OR CONFIRMED UNTIL THIS COUPON HAS BEEN DETACHED BY THE TELEGRAPH OPERATOR FROM The President TO Marshal Stalin SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE #58, 8 Sept 44 TOR MAP ROOM, VIA SUBJECT: Dumbarton Oaks Conference, and question of voting in the Council. ACTION: 1. Draft dispatch written by the State Department; approved by the President with minor change, 8 Sept 44. (State Dept notffied 8 Sept 44) 2. Answered by STALIN-PRES, 14 Sept 44. COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: PORVICTORY BUY SAVE - - MAR THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF Surie - WB WASHINGTON 25, D.C. 18 September 1944 MEMORANDUM FOR THE WHITE HOUSE MAP ROOM: Subject: Messages for Marshal Stalin and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. The enclosed messages approved by the President and Prime Minister are forwarded here- with for dispatch to Marshal Stalin and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. J. McFARLAND, Brigadier General, U.S. Army, Secretary DECLASSIFIED By Authority of mation Memo-JCS#2(9-137) 2(9-13-73) By Jase Da JAN 8 1974 THE COMBINED CHIEFS OF STAFF WASHINGTON 25, D. C. 16 September 1944 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT: THE PRIME MINISTER: The Combined Chiefs of Staff have approved the enclosed draft telegrams to Marshal Stalin and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek on the results of the OCTAGON Conference. A. T. CORNWALL-JONES, A. J. McFARLAND, Brigadier Brigadier General, G.S.C., Combined Secretariat approved Presedent and by Prime WAS minister DECLASSIFIED JCS letter, 9-18-73 & OSD letter, 5-3-72 FORVICTORY JAN 8 1974 BUY UNITED STATES WAR BONDS - STAMPS ENCLOSURE "A" September, 1944 To: Alusna, Moscow From: Naval Aide to the President. My immediately following message is top secret. It should be seen only by Alusna, a decoder appointed by him and the Ambassador who is then requested to de- liver it to the British Ambassador. If possible it should then be delivered by the British and American Ambassadors jointly to Marshal Stalin. Message should be carefully paraphrased before delivery. Acknowledge receipt and delivery. September, 1944 To: Alusna, Moscow Top secret and Personal to Marshal Stalin from the United States Government and His Majesty's Govern- ment in the United Kingdom. 1. In our Conference at Quebec just concluded we have arrived at the following decisions as to military oper- ations. Operations in North West Europe 2. It is our intention to press on with all speed to destroy the German armed forces and penetrate into the heart of Germany. The best opportunity to defeat the enemy in the west lies in striking at the Ruhr and Saar since it is there that the enemy will concentrate the remainder of his available forces in the defence of these essential areas. The northern line of approach clearly has advantages over the southern and it is es- sential that we should open up the northwest ports, particularly Antwerp and Rotterdam, before bad weather sets in. Our main effort will therefore be on the left. DECLASSIFIED JCS letter, 9-18-73 & OSD letter, 5-3-72 JAN 8 1974 - 1 - Enclosure "A" Operations in Italy 3. As a result of our present operations in Italy (a) Either Kesselring's forces will be routed, in which case it should be possible to undertake & rapid regrouping and a pur- suit towards the Ljubljana gap; or (b) Kesselring's army will succeed in effecting an orderly withdrawal, in which event we may have to be content with clearing the Lombardy Plains this year. Our future action depends on the progress of the battle. Plans are being prepared for an amphibious operation on the Istrian Peninsula to be carried out if the situation 80 demands. Operations in the Balkans 4. Operations of our air forces and Commando type operations will continue. Operations against Japan 5. We have agreed on further operations to intensify the offensive against the Japanese in all theaters, with the ultimate objective of invading the Japanese homeland. 6. Plans for the prompt transfer of power to the Pacific theater after the collapse of Germany were agreed upon. DECLASSIFIED JCS letter, 9-18-73 & OSD letter, 5-3-72 JAN 8 1974 - 2 - Enclosure "A" ENCLOSURE "B" From: Agwar To: Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces in China-Burma-India, Forward Echelon - Chungking, China From Admiral Leahy, Chief of Staff to the President. My immediately following message is top secret and should be seen only by General Stilwell, & decoder appointed by him, and the Ambassador who is then to deliver it to the British Ambassador upon receipt. If possible it should be delivered by the two Am- bassadors at the same time to the Generalissimo. Message should be carefully but closely paraphrased before delivery. Acknowledge receipt and delivery. From: Agwar To: Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces in China-Burma-India, Forward Echelon - Chungking, China From Admiral Leahy, Chief of Staff to the President. Top secret and Personal to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek from President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill. We have just concluded our conference in Quebec during which we discussed ways and means to bring about the earliest possible defeat of Germany so that we can reorient the entire weight of our forces and resources against Japan. We hasten to inform you of plans for our mutual effort, particularly in Southeast Asia. DECLASSIFIED JCS letter, 9-18-73 & OSD letter, 5-3-72 JAN 8 1974 - 3 - Enclosure "B" First: We are determined fully to employ all available resources toward the earliest practicable invasion of the Japanese homeland. To this end we have devised courses of action and are taking vigorous steps to expedite the redeployment of forces to the war against Japan following the defeat of Germany. Second: To continue and extend present operations under Admiral Mountbatten in North Burma to provide ad- ditional security for intermediate air ferry bases in the Myitkyina area, and at the beginning of favorable weather to launch a determined campaign to open over- land communications between India and China. These operations will require continued effective coopera- tion of the Chinese troops who have already so dis- tinguished themselves in Burma, as well as of your armies that are now engaged west of the Salveen. All these operations will be fully supported by our pre- ponderant air strength, and by adequate air supply. Small-scale amphibious operations on the Arakan coast, and activities by long range penetration groups will contribute to our success. We feel that the vigorous prosecution of these operations should result in se- curing an area by next spring which will permit the extension of the Ledo Road with accompanying pipelines in order to support the heroic effort of your forces. Third: Admiral Mountbatten has been further directed to prepare a large scale amphibious operation in the Bay of Bengal to be undertaken as soon as develop- ments in the European theater will allow the necessary resources to be made available. Fourth: We have agreed on further operations to intensify the offensive against the Japanese in the Pacific theater, including the opening of a seaway into China. DECLASSIFIED JCS letter, 9-18-73 & OSD letter, 5-3-72 JAN 8 1974 - 4 - Enclosure "B" Ambassadors Tell Stalin Of Quebec Decisions By the Associated From LONDON, Sept. 21-The Moncow radio said tonight that Premier Stalin had received the American and British Ambassadora, W. Aver- ell Harriman and Bir Archibald Clark Kerr, who "on behalf of Pres- Ident Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill informed him of decisions taken at the Quebee conference." FROM PRESIDENT/PRIME MINISTER TO MARSHAL STALIN SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE #65 & #66, 18 Sept 44. TOR MAP ROOM VIA SUBJECT: OCTAGON (Quebec II) Conference decisions ACTION: 1. Dispatches written by Chiefs of Staff at OCTAGON (Quebec II) Con- ference. Forwarded by memo, signed by Combined Secretariat, to the President and the Prime Minister on 16 Sept 44. Pencilled notation, "Approved by President and Prime Minister. W.D.L." written ba nemo by Admiral Leahy. 2. Forwarded by memorandum to the White House Map Room by General McFarland, Secretary ccs, on 18 Sept 44, for transmission to Stalin. 3. See 5 messages from Harriman to the President (232021, 232038, 232314, 232319, & 251400) in which Harriman reports his meeting with Stalin at which he and the British Ambassador presented the OCTAGON Conference decisions to Stalin. (Filed herein, 23 Sept 44.) COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: + PRIORITI 18 SEPTEMBER 1944 FROM: NAVAL AIDE TO THE PRESIDENT TO = ALUSNA, MOSCOW Number 65. My immediately following message is It should be seen only by Alusna, a decoder appointed by him and the Ambassador who is then requested to deliver it to the British Ambassador. If possible it should then be delivered by the British and American Ambassadors jointly to Marshal Stalin. Message should be carefully paraphrased before delivery. Acknowledge receipt and delivery. W. Porm Released from the White House Map Room at 1100, ENT, 18 September 1944. WILSON BROWN, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, Naval Aide to the President. DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the D.S. 181545 By V. J. Stewart Date APR 27 1972 NOR 5639 - 1 - PRIORITY 18 SEPTEMBER 1944 FROM: OPNAV TO : ALUSNA, MOSCOW NUMBER 66, AND PERSONAL TO MARSHAL STALIN FROM THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND HIS MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. 1. In our Conference at Quebec just concluded we have arrived at the following decisions as to military operations. Operations in North West Europe 2. It is our intention to press on with all speed to destroy the German armed forces and penetrate into the heart of Germany. The best opportunity to defeat the enemy in the west lies in striking at the Ruhr and Saar since it is there that the enemy will concentrate the remainder of his available forces in the defence of these essential areas. The northern line of approach clearly has advantages over the southern and it is essential that we should open up the northwest ports, particularly Antwerp and Rotterdam, before bad weather sets in. Our main effort will therefore be on the left. Operations in Italy 3. As a result of our present operations in Italy (a) Either Kesselring's forces will be routed, in which case it should be possible to undertake a rapid regrouping and a pursuit towards the Ljubljana gap; or (b) Kesselring's army will succeed in effecting an orderly withdrawal, in which event we may have to be content with clearing the Lombardy Plains this year. 181600 Red 191010Z REGRADED ver 5641, UNCLASSIFIED NUMBER 66 to STALIN. Our future action depends on the progress of the battle. Plans are being prepared for an amphibious operation on the Istrian Peninsula to be carried out if the situation 60 demands. Operations in the Balkans 4. Operations of our air forces and Commando type operations will continue. Operations against Japan 5. We have agreed on further operations to intensify the offensive against the Japanese in all theaters, with the ultimate objective of invading the Japanese homeland. 6. Plans for the prompt transfer of power to the Pacific theater after the collapse of Germany were agreed upon. ROOSEVELT. CHURCHILL. Released W,Jonrm from the White House Map Room at 1103 , EWT, 18 September 1944. WILSON BROWN, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, Naval Aide to the President. REGRADED - 2 - UNCLASSIFIED FDR 4 October 1944 PRIORITI FROM: OPNAV TO : ALUSNA, MOSOOW NUMBER 76. ND PERSONAL FROM THE PRESIDENT TO AMBASSADOR HARRIMAN. Your number 031404 received. will you please deliver the following message to Marchal Stalin at oncer QUOTE. While I had hoped that the next meeting could have been between you, Churchill and myself, I appreciate that the Prine Minister wishes to have an early conference with you. You, naturally, understand that in this global war there is literally no question, political or military, in which the United States is not inter- ested. I am firmly convinced that the three of us, and only the three of us, can find the solution to the still unresolved questions. In this sense, while appreciating the Prime Minister's desire for the meeting, I prefer to regard your forthcoming talks with Churchill as preliminary to a meeting of the three of us which, so far as I am concerned, can take place any time after the elections here. In the circumstances, I an suggesting, if you and Mr. Churchill approve, that our Ambassador In Moscow be present at your coming conference as an observer for no. Naturally, Mr. Harriman would not be in a position to commit this Government relative to the important matters which you and the Prime Winister will, very naturally, discuss. DECLASSIFIED -1- By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. by 1. J. Stewart Date APR 27 1972 You will, by this time, have received from General Deane, the statement of our Combined Chiefs of Staff position relative to the war against Japan and I want to reiterate to you how completely I accept the assurances which you have given us on this point. Our three countries are waging a successful war against Germany and we can surely join together with no less success in crush- 1hg & nation that I am sure in my heart is as great an enemy of Russia as she is of ours. UNQUOTE. The above message will indicate to you that I wish you to participate as an observer. I can tell you quite frankly, but for you only and not to be communicated under any circumstances to the British or the Russians, that I would have very much preferred to have the next conference between the three of us for the very reasons that I have stated to the Marshal. I should hope that this bi-lateral conference be nothing more than a preliminary exploration by the British and the Russians leading up to a full dress meeting between the three of us. You, therefore, should bear in mind that there are no subjects of discussion that I can anticipate between the Prime Minister and Stalin in which I will not be greatly interested. It is of importance, therefore, that when this conference is over Mr. Hull and I have complete freedom of action. I will expect you to come home immediately when the discussions are over and, naturally, you will keep Mr. Hull and me fully and currently advised during the talks. ROOSEVELT Released from the White House Map Room at 1345, ENT, 4 October 1944. F. H. GRAHAM, Captain, AGD. - 2 - FROM The President TO Marshal Stalin (Via Harriman) SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE 76, 4 October 1944. TOR MAP ROOM VIA SUBJECT: BHURCHILL-STALIN Conference. ACTION: 1. In HARHIMAN-PRESIDENT 0314042, & Oct 44, Harriman requested guidance in forthcoming conference between Churchill and Stalin. 2. Draft reply by Admiral Leahy, written 4 Oct 44, was approved by the President. Before being dispatched, message was read by Mr. Hopkins, who, after conversations with the President, directed that the message be held up a few hours. 3. Reply prepared by Mr. Hopkins, approved by the President; sent to Harriman for delivery to Stalin as PRES-HARRINAN #76, 4 Oct We Dispatch by Leahy, mentioned in para 2 above, was cancelled. (See HARRIMAN-PRESIDENT folder for original drafts.) COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: 011 Trance 4F AMEMBASSY MOSCOW FOR THE CHARGE D'APPAIRES Please deliver the following message from the President to Marshal Stalin: QUOTE. PERSONAL AND FOR MARSHAL STALIN FROM THE PRESIDENT. We have been giving active consideration to the diplomatic recognition of the existing French authorities as the Provisional Government of France. The recent enlargement of the Consultative Assembly has made these authorities more representative of the French people. It is expected that in the very near future the Prench, with the agreement of General Eisenhower, will set up a real gone of the interior which will be under French admin- istration and that when this is done it would be an appropriate time to recognize the French authorities as the Provisional Government of France. I an informing you in advance of our intentions in this regard in case you wish to take some similar action at the time the zone of the interior is set up under French administration. END QUOTE. 10/20/44 but ⑈ and DECLASSIFIED m Deputy Archivist of the U.S. APR 27 1972 by 1. J. Stewart Date WS. of 7 DEPARTMENT OF STATE NAL. WASHINGTON October 19, 1944 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT With reference to your reply to Prime Minister Churchill on the question of recognizing a Provisional Government of France, I believe you may wish to consider the desirability of also informing the Soviet Govern- ment of your intention. I believe it is safe to assume that the British Government will promptly inform the Soviet Government. I therefore attach a suggested draft message which you may wish to send to Marshal Stalin. Enclosure: Draft message. 14/20/44. relation DECLARSIFIED State Dept. Lettge APR 27 1972 be RM M, Parks Date CH FROM The President TO Marshal Stalin SERIAL or FILE sto. DATE Unno (State Dept mag), 20 Oct 44. TOR :WP h00% VIa SUBJECT: Recognition of French Provisional Government ACTION: (See file "Oll FRANCE" for complete correspondence) 1. Draft message sent to President by SecState by memo, 19 Oct 44. (Copy attached). The "reply to Prime Minister" referred to in memo 1a PRES-PM #631, 19 Oct 44. 2. President approved without change. Sent to Marshal Stalin thru State Department channels. 3. Answered by STALIN-PRES 22 Oct 44. COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: 011 FRANCE 011 France. PRIORITY 24 OCTOBER 1944 FROM: OPNAV TO : ALUSNA, MOSCOW NUMBER 100, PERSONAL AND FROM THE PRESIDENT FOR MARSHAL STALIN. I an delighted to learn from your message dated October 19 and from reports by Ambassador Harriman of the success attained by you and Mr. Churchill in approaching an agreement on a number of questions that are of high interest to all of us in our common desire to secure and maintain a. satisfactory and a durable peace. I an sure that the progress made during your conversations in Moscow will facilitate and expedite our work in the next meeting when the three of us should come to a full agreement on our future activities and policies and mutual interests. No all must investigate the practicability of various places where our meeting in November can be hald, such as accessibility, living accom- modations, security, etc., and I would appreciate suggestions from you. I have been thinking about the practicability of Malta, Athens, or Cyprus if ay getting into the Black Sea on & ship should be impracticable or too difficult. I prefer travelling and living on & ship. No know that the living conditions and security in Walta and Cyprus are satisfactory. I an looking forward with much pleasure to seeing you again. Please let me have your suggestions and advice. ROOSEVELT Released from the White House Map Room at 1130, ENT, 24 October 1944. DECLASSIFIED RICHARD PARK, Jh., By Deputy Archivial of the U.S. Colonel, General Staff. - 1 - 241620 NCR 1409 By V. J. Stewart DateAPR 27 1972 WDL October 23, 1944 # 100 PRESIDENT TO STALIN: I am delighted to learn from your message dated October 19 and from reports by Ambassador Harriman of the success attained by you and Mr. Churchill in approaching an agreement on a number of questions that are of high interest to all of us in our common desire to secure s and maintain a satisfactory and a durable peace. I am sure that the progress made during your conversations in Moscow will facilitate and expedite our work in the next meeting when the three of us should come to a full agreement on our future activities and policies and mutual interests. We all must investigate the practicability of various places where our meeting in November can be held, such as accessibility, living accommodations, security, etc., and I would appreciate suggestions from you. I have been thinking about the practicability of prus Malta, Athens, or Turnes if my getting into the Black Sea on a ship should be impracticable or too difficult. I prefer traveling and living on a ship. We know that the living conditions and security in ca arms Malta and Tuble are satisfactory. DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By I. J. Stewart Date APR 2 1972 I am looking forward with much pleasure to seeing you again. Please let me have your suggestions and advice. Romoto DECLASSIFIED - 2 - By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By T. J. Stewart DateAPR 27 1972 To FROM The President TO Marshal Stalin SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE #100, 24 Oct 44. TOR SLAP hOOM VIA SUBJECT: Churchill-Stalin conference; three-power meeting. ACTION: 1. Answers STALIN-PRES, 19 Oct 44, which was sent to the President at Hyde Park as MR-OUT-491, 22 Oct 44. 2. MR-IN-174, 22 Oct 44, from the President to Admiral Leahy stated: "Re MR-OUT-491. Please prepare reply for no to send Tuesday morning." 3. Admiral Leahy's draft reply approved without change by the President. 4. (See also PRES-PM #635, 24 Oct 44, which quotes this message to Churchill.) 5. Answered by STALIN-PRES, 29 Oct Was COPIES TO: "210 CHURCHILL-STALIN CONFERENCE." DaTE: BY DIRECTION OF: C 10 November 1944 UNCLASSIFIED PRIORITY FROM: OPNAV TO : ALUSNA, MOSCOW 101817Z, NCR NUMBER 114. PERSONAL FROM THE PRESIDENT FOR MARSHAL STALIN. I am very pleased to have your measage of congratulations and happy that you and I can continue together with our Allies to destroy the Nazi tyrants and establish a long period of peace in which all of our peace-loving peoples, freed from the burdens of war, may reach a higher order of development and culture, each in accordance with its own desires. ROOSEVELT Released from the White House Map Room at 1018172, November 1944 OGDEN KNIFFIN, Captain, C.E. A. a #114 November 10, 1944 THE PRESIDENT TO MARSHAL STALIN: I am very pleased to have your message of congratulations and happy that you and I can continue together with our Allies to destroy the Nazi tyrants and establish a long period of peace in which all of our peace-loving peoples, freed from the burdens of war, may reach a higher order of development and gendus culture, each in accordance with its own desires. Ronews FROM The President TO Marshal Stalin SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE 114, 10 November 1944 TOR STAP hOOM VIa SUBJECT: Acknowledgment of election congratulations. ACTION: 1. Answers STALIN-PRES, 9 Nov 44, which was sent to the President via Usher. 2. Reply by Admiral Leahy; approved by the President Nov 10, 1944. COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: 000.1 PRIORITY 18 NOVEMBER 1944 FROM: OPNAV TO : ALUSNA, MOSCOW 1816372 NCR NUMBER 124, PERSONAL AND FROM THE PRESIDENT FOR MARSHAL STALIN. All three of us are of one mind - that we should meet very soon, but problems chiefly geographical do not make this easy at this moment. I can, under difficulties, arrange to go somewhere now in order to get back here by Christmas but, quite frankly, it will be far more convenient if I could postpone it until after the Inauguration which is on January twentieth. My Navy people recommend strongly against the Black Sea. They do not want to risk & capital ship through the Aegean or the Dardenelles, as it would involve a very large escort much needed elsewhere. Churchill has suggested Jerusalem or Alexandria, and there is a possibility of Athens, though this is not yet sure. Furthermore, I have at this time & great hesitation in leaving here while my old Congress is in its final days, with the probability of its not adjourning finally until December fifteenth. Also, I have to be here, under the Constitution, to send the Annual Message to the new Congress which meets here in early January. What I an suggesting is that we should all neet about the twenty-eighth or thirtieth of January, and I should hope that by that time you will have rail travel to some port on the Adristic and that NO should meet you there or that you could come across in a few hours on one of our ships to Bari and then motor to Rome, or that you should take the same ship a little further and that we should all meet in a. place like Taormina, in eastern Sicily, which DECLASSIFIED by Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By V. J. Stewart APR 1972 should provide & fairly good climate at that time. Almost any place in the Mediterranean is accessible to me so that I can be within easy air distance of Washington in brder to carry out action on Legislation - & subject with which you are familiar. I must be able to get Bills or Resolutions sent from here and returned within ten days. I hope that your January military operations will not prevent you from coming at that time, and I do not think that we should delay the meet- ing longer than the end of January or early February. or course, if in the meantime the Nazi Army or people should disin- tegrate quickly, we wyould have to meet earlier, though I should much prefer the meeting at the end of January. A further suggestion as to & place would be one on the Riviers but this would be dependent on the withdrawal of German troops from northwestern Italy. I wish you would let no know your thoughts on this. I hope to talk over many things with you. We understand each other's problems and, as you know, I like to keep these discussions informal, and I have no reason for formal agenda. My Ambassador in China, General Hurley, is doing his best to iron out the problem between the Generalissimo and the forces in North China. He is making some progress but nothing has been signed yet. My warmest regards to you. ROOSEVELT Released from the White House Map Room at 1816372, Nov 1944. RICHARD PARK, JR., Colonel, General Staff. DECLASSIFIED by Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By U. J. Stewart Date APR 27 1972 DISPATCH " DRAFTER EXT. ADDRESSEES PRECEDENCE ASTERISK (*) MAILGRAM ADDRESSEE - FROM ALUSNA MOSCOW PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY a RELEASED BY FOR ACTION ROUTINE 4 & CNO DEFERRED 5 DATE NOV. 19, 1944 BASEGRAM 6 7 TOR CODEROOM 1331 . DECODED BY TALHAM PRIORITY . PARAPHRASED INFORMATION 10 CHECKED ROUTINE 11 BY TALMAN BY GLUNT DEFERRED 12 DITTOED ROUTED BY, TALMAR BY GLUNT BASEGRAM 13 14 WILLEST OTHERWISE INDICATED THIS DISPATED will " TRANSMITTED effe DEFERRED PRECEDENCE AND as ADMINISTRATIVE. IF OPERATIONAL 15 CHECK BELOW 16 191010 NCR 7333 17 19 Originator till in DATE AND TIME GROUP (Use G. c. T.) 19 ON OUTGOING DISPATCHES PLEASE LEAVE ABOUT ONE INCH CLEAR SPACE BEFORE BEGINNING TEXT 8 21 22 23 124 3 as THE MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT TO STALIN, YOUR 181637, 26 27 WAS DELIVERED TO MOLOTOV'S OFFICE BY THE CHARGE-D'AFFAIRES AT 26 8 NINETEEN HUNDRED. 30 31 32 33 34 Franklin D: Roosevelt Library 35 DECLASSITURE 36 37 DOD 38 5200.9 (9/27/58) 8 $ Date- 8/19/71 41 42 : NAVAIDE (A & #2) ACTION Signature- RHRarks 44 45 46 47 48 : No. I ADMIRAL. No. 2 FILE No. 3F-1 OR CHARTROOM. No. 4 SPECIAL so 01 52 Ramdle only se ********* on *Top Secret* instructions contained is article 16, Dary Signature COPT no. OPMAY 19-76 DISPATCH DRAFTER EXT. ADDRESSEES PRECEDENCE FROM ALUSNA MOSCOW ASTERISK (*) MAILGRAM ADDRESSEE 1 PRIORITY: 3 RELEASED BY FOR ACTION ROUTINE CNO 4 DEFERRED DATE 20 NOVEMBER 1944 5 BASEGRAM 6 7 TOR CODEROOM 201713 a DECODED BY BALDWIN PRIORITY 9 PARAPHRASED BALDWIN CHECKED BY BY GARDNER INFORMATION 30 ROUTINE 11 DEFERRED 12 ROUTED BY BALDWIN DITTOED BY BALDWIN BASEGRAM 13 14 WELLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED THIS DISPATED WILL or TRANSMITTED WITH DEFERRED PRECIDENCE AND AS ADMINISTRATIVE. IF OPERATIONAL 15 CHECK BELOW 10 201405Z NCR 8367 17 19 Originator till in DATE AND TIME GROUP (Use 6. c. T.) 10 ON OUTGOING DISPATCHES PLEASE LEAVE ABOUT ONE INCH CLEAR SPACE BEFORE BEGINNING TEXT 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES RECEIVED FROM MOLOTOV 26 29 AT 1230z A LETTER STATING THAT YOUR TOP SECRET 30 31 32 181637 HAD BEEN DELIVERED TO FINAL DESTINATION. 33 124 Franklin D. Roceevelt Library 34 35 DEGLANATIONS 36 37 Deb w 5200.9 (9/27/58) 38 30 40 Date- 8/19/71 41 Read 201937Z. 42 Signature- RHP to 44 NCR ORIGINAL DISTRIBUTION: 45 46 NAVAIDE(#1-2) ACTION 47 48 49 No. I ADMIRAL No. 2 FILE No. 3F-1 OR CHARTROOM. No. 4 SPECIAL so 51 52 01 Ramdle only 14 accordance .... "Tep instructions contained is article 76, savy Regulations. COPT se. 201405Z OPRAV 19-78 #124 November 18, 1944. TO: MARSHAL STALIN FROM: THE PRESIDENT All three of us are of one mind -- that we should meet very soon, but problems chiefly geographical do not make this easy at this moment. I can, under difficulties, arrange to go somewhere now in order to get back here by Christmas but, quite frankly, it will be far more convenient if I could postpone it until after the Insuguration which is on January twentieth. My Navy people recommend strongly against the Black Sea. They do not want to risk a capital ship through the Aegean or the Dardenelles, as it would involve a very large escort much needed elsewhere. Churchill has suggested or Jerusalem and Alexandria, and there is a possibility of Athens, though this is not yet sure. Furthermore, I have at this time a great hesitation in leaving here while my old Congress is in its final days, with the probability of its not adjourning finally until December fifteenth. Also, I have to be here, under the -2- Constitution, to send the Annual Message to the new Congress which meets here in early January. What I as suggesting is that we should all meet about the twenty-eighth or thirtieth of January, and I should hope that by rail that time you will have and travel to some port on the Adriatio and that we should neet you there or that you could come across in & few hours on one of our ships to Bari and then motor to Rome, or that you should take the same ship a little further and that we should all meet in a place like Taormina, in eastern at Sicily, which should provide a fairly good climate at this time. Almost any place in the Mediterranean is accessible to no so that I can be within easy air distance of Washington in order to carry out action on Legislation a subject with which you are familiar. I must be able to got Bills or Resolutions sent from here and returned within ten days. I hope that your January military operations will not prevent you from coming at that time, and I do not think that we should delay the meeting longer than the end of January -}- or early Fobruary. of course, if in the meantime the Nasi Army or people should disintegrate quickly, we should have to meet earlier, though I should much prefer the meeting at the end of January. A further suggestion as to a place would be one on the Riviera but this would be dependent on the withdrawal of German troops from northwestern Italy. I wish you would let no know your thoughts on this. I hope to talk over many things with you. To understand each other's problems and, as you know, I like to keep these discussions informal, and I have no reason for formal agenda. My Ambassador in China, General Hurley, is doing his best to iron out the problem between the Generalissimo and the forces in North China. He is making some progress but nothing has been signed yet. My warmest regards to you. Rousents ROOSEVELT C $ THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON November 17, 1944. MEMORANDUM FOR ADMIRAL LEAHY Will you let me know what you think? P. D. R. : FROM The Preident TO Marshal Stalin SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE 124, 18 November 1944 TOR NAP ROOM VIA SUBJECT: Tripartite meeting. ACTION: 1. Replies to STALIN-PRES 29 October 1944, 2. Written by the President. President's draft sent by memo, signed F.D.R., 17 Nov 44, to Admiral Leahy with following notation: "Will you let me know what you think?" 3. Approved by Adm Leahy; dispatched 18 November 1944. 4. (See PRES-PM #650, 18 Nov 44, which quotes this message to the Prime Minister.) 5. Answered by STALIN-PRES 23 November 1944. COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: * n 5 5 December 1944 PRIORITY From: Opnav To : Alusna, Moscow 051728 Z NCR 8049 WDL FOR THE URGENT AND PERSONAL ATTENTION OF AMBASSADOR HARRI- MAN FROM STETTINIUS, STATE DEPARTMENT NUMBER 2784. 1. Please arrange to call in person on Marshal Stalin in order to deliver the following message from the President to him, White House Number 1321 QUOTE. In view of the fact that prospects for an early meeting between us are still unsettled and because of my conviction, with which I am sure you agree, that we must move forward as quickly as possible in the convening of & general conference of the United Nations on the subject of international organ- ization, I am asking Ambassador Harriman to deliver this message to you and to discuss with you on my behalf the important subject of voting procedure in the Security Council. This and other questions will, of course, have to be agreed between us before the general conference will be possible. I am also taking up this matter with Mr. Churchill. After giving this whole subject further consideration, I now feel that the substance of the following draft provision should be eminently satisfactory to everybody concerned: PROPOSAL FOR SECTION C OF THE CHAPTER ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL C. VOTING 1. Each member of the Security Council should have one vote. 2. Decisions of the Security Council on procedural matters should be made by an affirmative vote of seven members. - 1 - RECLASSIFIED State Dept. letter, 1-11-78 By FT Date MAR 9-197 3. Decisions of the Security Council on all other matters should be made by an affirmative vote of seven members including the concurring votes of the permanent members; provided that, in decisions under Chapter VIII, Section A, and under paragraph 1 of Chapter VIII, Section c, a party to a dispute should abstain from voting. You will note that this calls for the unanimity of the permanent members in all decisions of the Council which relate to a determination of & threat to the peace and to action for the removal of such a threat or for the suppression of aggression or other breaches of the peace. I can see, as a practical matter, that this is necessary if action of this kind is to be feasible, and I am, there- fore, prepared to accept in this respect the view expressed by your Government in its memorandum on an international security organization presented at the Dumbarton Oaks meeting. This means, of course, that in decisions of this char- acter each permanent member would always have a vote. At the name time, the Dumbarton Oaks proposals also provide in Chapter VIII, Section A, for judicial or other procedures of a recomendatory character which the Security Council may employ in promoting voluntary peaceful settlement of disputes. Here, too, I am satisfied that recommendations of the Security Council will carry far greater weight if they are concurred in by the permanent members. But I as also convinced that such procedures will be effective only if the Great Powers exercise moral leadership by demonstrating their fidelity to the principles of justice, and, therefore, by accepting a provision under which, with regard to such procedures, all parties to & dispute should abstain from voting. I firmly believe that willingness on the part of the permanent members not to claim for themselves a special position in this respect would greatly enhance their moral prestige and would strengthen their own position - 2 - RECLASSIFIED State Dept. letter, 1-11-78 MAR by Date TOB-OFOREY way as the principal guardians of the future peace, without in any/jeopardizing their vital interests or impairing the essential principle that in all decisions of the Council which affect such interests of the Great Powers must act unanimously. It would certainly make the whole plan, which must necessarily assign & special position to the Great Powers in the enforcement of peace, far more acceptable to all nations. Neither the Soviet nor the American memoranda presented at Dumbarton Oake contained specific provisions for voting procedure on questions of this nature. Our representatives there were not, of course, in a position to reach a definite agreement on the subject. You and I must now find a way of completing the work which they have so well carried forward on our behalf. If you should be inclined to give favorable consideration to some such approach to the problem of voting in the Council as I now suggest, would you be willing that there be held as soon as possible a meeting of representatives designated by you, by me, and by Mr. Churchill to work out a complete provision on this question and to discuss the arrangements necessary for a prompt conven- ing of & general United Nations conference? UNQUOTE. 2. Ne assume that you will wish to have a careful Russian translation made of the foregoing message so that you can hand to Marshal Stalin both the English and Russian texts of the President's message. 3. The contemplated meeting referred to in the last paragraph of the President's message would be an informal one in which only two or three repre- sentatives of each of the three countries would participate. In other words, we do not have in mind anything in the nature of & reconvening of the Dumbarton Oaks conversations. No have no fixed idea at the present time as to just who these representatives would be or as to where they should meet, although perhaps - 3 - DECLASSIFIED State Dept. letter, 1-11-72 X MAR 9 1972 Sex - TOT SEORLE London might prove to be appropriate and convenient. 4. You say wish to present orally, and perhaps in a separate amorandum, additional observations in support of the President's views which necessarily are stated in restricted compass in the measage itself. Among the additional considerations which impress us and some or all of which you should feel free to use as you see fit as representing the views of your Government are the followings Unanimity of thought and action on the part of the great powers in all decisions affecting the maintenance of international peace and security 1a of the greatest importance. with the great powers unandnous in thought and in action and equally and instantly ready to employ measures of enforcement in behalf of peace and security when and as necessary, there will be the greatest inducement for parties to disputes to arrive at peaceful settlements. Such an stmosphere of harmony among the grest powers and general willingness to resort to Ressures of peaceful settlement should result in conditions of more assured stability in international relations than has ever before obtained in history. These realizable conditions will mean that all states will look first to the major powers themselves to abide by the obligations contained in the charter of the organisation to seek peaceful adjustment or settlement of any differences in which they may be concerned. We can conceive of no more effective justification of the special position of the great powers as principal guardians of the peace than the voluntary undertaking by each of them, along with all other members of the organization, to abstain in any controversy in which it may be engaged from voting on procedures which in the eyes of mankind will partake of an impartial examination of the controversy by the highest tribunal of the world society. This should further make evident that the leadership of the great powers 1a to be based not alone upon size, strength, and resources, but on those enduring qualifications of moral leadership which can 4 DECLASSIFIED State Dept. letter, 1-11-92 By Date C # raise the whole level of international relations the world over. The assurance and the enhancing of this leadership 1a in the interest of each of the great powers, as well as of all the world. 5. We have great confidence in your ability to convince Marshal Stalia of the reasonableness of our views which we feel are fully as much in the inter- esta of the Soviet Union as in those of all other states. No do not, of course, feel that - are in any sense asking simply for & yes or no answer, although " would naturally be highly gratified to ascertain that Marshal Stalin agrees with our views. We agree entirely with the view which you emphasized in Washington that, even if you are not entirely successful at this time in persuading the Marshal to adopt as his own the views expressed in the President's message, it is essential to keep the Lange open and to avoid any crystallization of & negative attitude on the part of the Soviet Government on this vitally significant - astter. STETTINIUS Released from the White House Map Room at 0517282, December, 1944. ROBERT N. BOGUE, Lieutenant, USMR DECLASSIFIED State Dept. letter; 1-11-78 Pt Date MAR 1972 By - 5 TUI SCORE DEPARTMENT or STATE Division of European Affairs December 5, 1944 MEMORANDUM FOR ADMIRAL LEAHY The Secretary is in entire agreement with the suggestion that the President delay his reply to Stalin until he has heard from Churchill. If Churchill's views do not raise new questions requiring further consideration, there is attached a suggested reply from the President to Marshal Stalin to be sent after he has neard from Churchill. If the President does not hear within a day from Churchill, it would be advisable for the President to take the initiative and endeavor to ascertain his views on these French questions. /s/ C. E. BOHLEN EE:CEB:TMT COROMET THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON December 5, 1944 MEMORANDUM FOR THE MAP ROOM Subject: Messages for Marshal Stalin and Prime Minister Churchill Please send forward promptly the attached nos- sages to Prime Minister Churchill and to Marshal Stalin, the latter being incorporated, you will note, in & telegram to Ambassador Harriman. The President approved these messages on November-22 and authorised the time of their dispatch to coincide with Ambassador Harriman's arrival in Moscow. As Anbassador Harriman is expected to reach Moscow in the very near future, it is important that the messages now go forward. The Moscow telegram should, of course, be sent to Harriman, secret for him alone, but the one to London should be sent directly to the Prine Minister. DECLASSIFIED State Dept. letter, 1-11-72 By CT Date MAR 9 1972 PRIORITY 6 December 1944 From: Opnav To : Alusna, Moacow 0616522, NCR NUMBER 133. PERSONAL AND FROM THE PRESIDENT FOR MARSHALL STALIN. Thank you for your two informative messages of December two and December three. In regard to a proposed Franco-Soviet pact along the lines of the Anglo-Soviet pact of mutual assistance, this Government would have no objection in principle if you and General De Gaulle con- sidered such & pact in the interests of both your countries and Puropean security in general. I an in complete agreement with your replies to General De Gaulle with regard to the post-war frontier of France. It appears to me at the present time that no advantage to our common war effort would result from an attempt to settle this question now and that its settlement subsequent to the collapse of Germany is pre- ferable. ROOSEVELT Released from the White House Map Room at 0616522, December, 1944. DECLASSIFIED ROBERT W. BOGUE, By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. Lieutenant, USNR. by 1. J. Stewart Date APR 27-1972 " PERSONAL AND FROM THE PRESIDENT TO MARSHAL STALIN Thank you for your two informative messages of December 2 and December 3. In regard to a proposed Franco-Soviet pact along the lines of the Anglo-Soviet pact of mutual assistance, this Government would have no objection in principle if you and General de Gaulle considered such a pact in the interests of both your countries and European security in general. I am in complete agreement with your replies to General de Gaulle with regard to the post-war frontier of France. It appears to me at the present time that no advantage to our common war effort would result from an attempt to settle this question now and that its settle- ment subsequent to the collapse of Germany is preferable. MR OUT 606 Leahn to Pasident Italin approved by State Disartment The following quated uply to is Jonvarded for your consideration to 8 think it Should be quated we are Prime now puparma for his a dirft information. reply to Primes 846. DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. by V. J. Stewart Date APR 27 1972 16 DECEMBER 1944 we PRIORITY OA, FROM: OPNAV TO : ALUSNA, MOSCOW 1701162 NCR 05 NUMBER 136, PERSONAL AND FROM THE PRESIDENT FOR MARSHAL STALIN. In view of the interest raised in this country by Prime Minister Churchill's statement in the House of Commons yesterday and the strong pressure we are under to make known our position in regard to Poland, I believe it may be necessary in the next few days for this government to issue some statement on the subject. This statement, if issued, will out- line our attitude somewhat along the following lines: QUOTE. 1. The United States Government stands unequivocally for a strong, free, independent and democratic Poland. 2. In regard to the question of future frontiers of Poland, the United States, although considering it desirable that terri- torial questions await the general postwar settlement, recognizes that a settlement before that time is in the interest of the com- non war effort and therefore would have no objection if the terri- torial questions involved in the Polish situation, including the proposed compensation from Germany, were settled by mutual agree- ment between the parties directly concerned. 3. Recognizing that the transfer of minorities in some cases is feasible and would contribute to the general security and tranquility in the areas concerned, the United States Govern- ment would have no objection if the Government and the people of DECLASSIFIED by Deputy Archivist of the U.S. m 1. J. Stewart Date APR 27 1972 Poland desire to transfer nationals and would join in assisting such transfers. 4. In conformity with its announced aim, this Government is prepared to assist, subject to legislative authority, and in so far as may be practicable, in the economic reconstruction of countries devastated by Nazi aggression. This policy applies equally to Poland as to other such devastated countries of the United Nations. UNQUOTE. The proposed statement, as you will note, will contain nothing, I am sure, that is not known to you as the general attitude of this Government and is I believe in so far as it goes in general accord with the results of your discussion with Prime Minister Churchill in Moscow in the autumn, and for this reason, I an sure, you will welcome it. I feel it is of the highest importance that until the three of us can get together and thoroughly discuss this troublesome question there be no action on any side which would render our discussions more difficult. I have seen indications that the Lublin Committee may be intending to give itself the status of & provisional government of Poland. I fully appre- ciate the desirability from your point of view of having a clarification of Polish authority before your armies move further into Polani. I very much hope, however, that because of the great political implications which such a step would entail you would find it possible to refrain from recog- nizing the Lublin Committee as a goverment of Poland before we meet, which I hope will be immediately after my insuguration on January 20. Could you not until that date continue to deal with the Committee in its present DECLASSIFIED by Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By 1. J. Stewart Date APR 27 1972 form. I know that Prime Minister Churchill shares my views on this point. ROOSEVELT Released 170116Z Dec 1944. OGDEN S. COLLINS, JR., Lieutenant, U.S.N.R. DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. - 3 - By W.J. Stewart Date APR 27 1971 FROM The President TO Marshal Stalin SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE 136, 16 December 1944 TOR MAP hOOM 1701162 VIA SUBJECT: Poland ACTION: 1. See PM-PRES #853, 16 Dec 1944, in which the Prime Hinister suggests that the Pres dent send a message to stalin. PM #853 sent to the Pres- ident at Warn Springs as 21-00T-666, 1615102; also sent by Ads Brown to the Secretary of State for preparation of draft reply. 2. In 28-IN-236, 1620442, the President forwarded two suggested nes- sages-one to Stalin, one to Churchill-to the Sec of State for approval. At the same time, the See of State had prepared a suggested message to Stalin (to be repeated to Churchill for his information) which Bohlen delivered to the Map Room. Bohlen was given MR-IN-236. He requested, however, that the Secretary's memo be sent to the President with & note to the President that the Secretary had not seen MR-IN-236. Stettinius' memo, with suggested messages to Stalin and Churchill, sent to the President as (1621182). 3. At 1622322, Stettinius sent the following explanatory message to the President 68 AR-OUT-672: "My suggested mag to Stalin on Poland and the reasons therefore (WR-OUT-670) was drafted and sent to you before I received your drafts (AR-IN-236). If you approve the draft I sent you, I believe the substance of yours relating to the place of meeting could go as a separate message when you get -talin's reply." 4. In AR-IN-238, 1623552, the President approved Stettinius' draft messages-"Your MR-00T-672 approved. Please notify the PM in my name." 5. Message sent to Marshal Stalin in this message, PRES-STALIN #136; O-V-F-R COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: 052 POLISH-RUSSIAN RELATIONS 052 POLISH-HUSSIAN RELATIONS C repeated to the Prine Minister in PRES-PM #675, 16 Dec We 6. See HARRIZAN-PRES 210855, 21 Dec Wis which explains, four-day delay in delivery of this message to Stalin. 7. Answered by STALIN-PRES. 27 December 1944, 23 December 1944 PRIORITY W From: Opnav WAC To : Alusna, Moscow 2317312, NCR 1119 NUMBER 144. AND PERSONAL FROM THE PRESIDENT FOR MARSHAL STALIN. I wish to direct General Eisenhower to send to Moscow a fully qualified officer of his staff to discuss with you Eisenhower's situation on the Western Front and its relation to the Eastern Front, in order that all of us may have information essential to our coordin- ation of effort. We will maintain complete secrecy. I hope you will see this officer of Eisenhower's Staff and arrange to exchange with him information that will be of mutual " benefit. The situation in Belgium is not bad but it is time to talk of the next phase. In view of the emergency an early reply to this proposal is requested. ROOSEVELT Released from the White House Map Room at 2317312, December, 1944. H. W. PUTNAM, Major, A.C. DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. " By 1. J. Stewart Date APR 27 1972 was #144 December 23, 1944 PRESIDENT DO PRIMB: to Stalin Your 857, It Le my opinion that better results would be obtained 40 you should send & measage to Stalin - follower QUOTE I em informed by President Receivelt that he I to direct General Eisenhower to send to wish Moscow a fully qualified officer of his staff to discuss with your you Staff Eisenhower's situation on the Western Front and its relation to the Eastern Front, in order that all of us may have information essential to our coordination of effort. we will maintain complete secrecy. hope you will see this officer of Eisenhower's Staff and arrange to exchange with him information that will be of mutual benefit. The deferention Begin is notbad w tirting N Tabl ofth mai from In view of the emergency an early reply to this proposal is requested. Road The situation in Belgum is not had but it is time to talk of the next phase DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By #. J. Stewart Date APR 27.1972 FROM The President TO Marshal Stalin SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE 144, 23 Dec 44. TOR MAP hOOM VIA SUBJECT: Eisenhower's sending representatives to Moscow. ACTION: (see AR 340 (2) for complete file) 1. See PM-PRES #857, 23 Dec 4, in which Churchill suggests joint telegram to Stalin. This was referred to Adm Leahy and the JCS by the President. 2. This message to Stalin was drafted by Admiral Leahy; approved by the President; dispatched to Stalin 231731. 3. Quoted to Churchill in PRES-PM #677, 23 Dec 44. 4. Answered by STALIN-PRES, 25 Dec Was 5. Also see HARRIMAN-PRES 2518302, in which Harriman advises that stalin had approved Eisenhower's sending representative. COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: 340 (2) 1 PRIORITY 30 DECEMBER 1944 W3 FROM: OPNAV TO : ALUSNA, MOSCOW 3019532 NCR 2243 NUMBER 153, PERSONAL AND , FROM THE PRESIDENT FOR MARSHAL STALIN. I am disturbed and deeply disappointed over your message of December 27 in regard to Poland in which you tell me that you cannot see your may clear to hold in abeyance the question of recognizing the Lublin Committee as the provisional government of Poland until we have had an opportunity at our meeting to discuss the whole question thoroughly. I would have thought no serious inconvenience would have been caused your Government or your Armies if you could have delayed the purely juridical act of recognition for the short period of a month remaining before we meet. There was no suggestion in By request that you curtail your practi- cal relations with the Lublin Committee nor any thought that you should deal with or accept the London Government in its present composition. I had urged this delay upon you because I felt you would realize how extremely unfortunate and even serious it would be at this period in the war in its effect on world opinion and energy norale if your Government should formally recognize one Government of Poland while the majority of the other United Nations including the United States and Great Britain continue to recognize and to maintain diplomatic relations with the Polish Government in London. I must tell you with a frankness equal to your own that I see no prospect of this Government's following suit and transferring its recognition DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By V. J. Stewart DatAPR 1972 r from the Government in London to the Lublin Committee in its present form. This is in no sense due to any special ties or feelings for the London Government. The fact in that neither the Government nor the people of the United States have as yet seen any evidence either arising from the manner of its creation or from subsequent developments to justify the conclusion that the Lublin Committee as at present constituted represents the people of Poland. I cannot ignore the fact that up to the present only a small fraction of Poland proper west of the Curson Line has been liberated from German tyranny, and it is therefore an unquestioned truth that the people of Poland have had no opportunity to express themselves in regard to the Lublin Committee. If at some future date following the liberation of Poland a pro- visional government of Poland with popular support 1s established, the attitude of this Government would of course be governed by the decision of the Polish people. I fully share your view that the departure of Mr. Kikolajeryk from the Government in London has worsened the situation. I have always felt that Mr. Mikolajoxyk, who I an convinced is sincerely desirous of settling all points at issue between the Soviet Union and Poland, 1a the only Polish leader in sight who seens to offer the possibility of a genuine solution of the difficult and dangerous Polish question. I find it most difficult to believe from my personal knowledge of Mr. Mikolajczyk and my conversations with him when he was here in Washington and his subsequent efforts and policies during his visit at Moscow that he had knowledge of any terrorist instructions. I an sending you this message so that you will know DECLASSIFIED the position By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. by 1. J. Stewart Date APR 27 1972 # of this Government in regard to the recognition at the present time of the Lublin Committee as the provisional government. I am more than ever convinced that when the three of us get together we can reach & solution of the Polish problem, and I therefore still hope that you can hold in abeyance until then the formal recognition of the Lublin Committee as a government of Poland. I cannot, from a military angle, see any great objection to a. delay of a month. ROOSEVELT : Released 301953Z December 1944. BOYCE P. PRICE, Captain, C.E. DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By V. J. Stewart Date APR 271972 " 0 THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON the Pres unker this repeated to PM in acknowledges. latters ,864 -with "you will all that we and we stif". alcone in handwriting r her. Boblen. the Dept. The quotation and dictated A him by the President an was the last sentence to the message. Massage delivered & map Room by me. Bodlen at 1500, EWT, 80 the uv) web 864. M 153 Depar of State December 29, 1944 and Personal from the President to Marshal Stalin. I am disturbed and deeply disappointed over your message of December 27 in regard to Poland in which you tell me that you cannot see your way clear to hold in abeyance the question of recognizing the Lublin Committee as the provisional government of Poland until we have had an opportunity at our meeting to discuss the whole question thoroughly. I would have thought no serious inconvenience would have been caused your Government or your Armies if you could have delayed the purely juridical act of recog- nition for the short period of a month remaining before we meet. There was no suggestion in my request that you cur- tail your practical relations with the Lublin Committee nor any thought that you should deal with or accept the London Government in its present composition. I had urged this delay upon you because I felt you would realize how extremely unfortunate and even serious it would be at this period in the war in its effect on world opinion and enemy morale if your Government should formally recognize one Government of Poland while the majority of the other United Nations including the United States and Great Britain Department of State - 2 - December 29, 1944 Britain continue to recognize and to maintain diplomatic relations with the Polish Government in London. I must tell you with a frankness equal to your own that I see no prospect of this Government's following suit and transferring its recognition from the Government in London to the Lublin Committee in its present form. This is in no sense due to any special ties or feelings for the London Government. The fact is that neither the Government nor the people of the United States have as yet seen any evidence either arising from the manner of its creation or from subsequent developments to justify the conclusion that the Lublin Committee as at present constituted represents the people of Poland. I cannot ignore the fact that up to the present only a small fraction of Poland proper west of the Curzon Line has been liberated from German tyranny, and it is therefore an unquestioned truth that the people of Poland have had no opportunity to express themselves in regard to the Lublin Committee. If at some future date following the liberation of Poland a provisional government of Poland with popular support is established, the attitude of this Government would Department of Cate - 3 - De@ber 29, 1944 would of course be governed by the decision of the Polish people. I fully share your view that the departure of Mr. Mikolajozyk from the Government in London has worsened the situation. I have always felt that Mr. Mikolajczyk, who I an convinced is sincerely desirous of settling all points at issue between the Soviet Union and Poland, is the only Polish leader in sight who seens to offer the possibility of a genuine solution of the difficult and dangerous Polish question. I find it most difficult to believe from By personal knowledge of Mr. Mikolajozyk and my conversations with him when he was here in Washington and his subsequent efforts and policies during his visit at Moscow that he had knowledge of any terrorist instructions. I am sending you this message 80 that you will know the position of this Government in regard to the recog- nition at the present time of the Lublin Committee as the provisional government. I an more than ever convinced that when the three of us get together we can reach a solution of the Polish problem, and I therefore still hope that you can hold in abeyance until then the formal recognition of the Lublin Committee as a government of Poland. I cannot, have a unlitary ange, all any great objection to a delay of a funilly If Borrarh DECLASSIFIED by Deputy Archivist of the U.S. m 1. d. Stewart Date APR 27,1972 FROM THE PK SIDENT TO MARSHAL STALIN SERIAL or FILE NO. DATE 153, 30 December 1944 TOR MAP ROOM VIA SUBJECT: Poland; Recognition of Lublin Committee ACTION: 1. Answers STALIN-PRES 27 Dec We which was sent to the President at Hyde Park as MR-OUT-712, 291220Z. 2. At 2913552, in MR-OUT-713, Ada Leahy sent the following message to the President: "Referring to Stalin's message dated 27 Dec (MR-OUT-712) permission is requested to send it to State Department for preparation of a draft reply. "It would seen appropriate or necessary to send Stalin's message to Churchill before replying to U.J." 3. WR-IN-252, 2916552, from the President to Adm Leahy, stated: "Re- ference your MR-OUT-713 and 712. For State Department for consideration of reply." This, however, did not answer Adm Leahy's request in MR-OUT-713 that message be sent to Churchill. 4. To straighten out above point, Adm Brown sent the following mag to the President at 2918382 as MR-OUT-716: "Does your WR-IN-252 to Admiral Leahy authorize sending a copy to Churchill, or shall we hold until your return?" 5. President's reply to Admiral Brown, MR-IN-253, 2920032, stated: "Re your MR-OUT-716. Message to Churchill may go." 6. Stalin's message sent to Churchill as PRES-PM #681, 2920172, with notation, "I should like your comments before making a reply." 7. PM replied in his #864, received 3017272. Shown to Mr. Bohlen by Admiral Leahy's office. O-V-E-R COPIES TO: DATE: BY DIRECTION OF: MR 052 POLISH-RUSSIAN RELATIONS 052 POLISH-RUSSIAN RELATIONS