Memorandum of Conversation with President Harry S. Truman, General Charles de Gaulle, Georges Bidault, Secretary of State James Byrnes, Admiral William Leahy, Ambassador of France Henri Bonnet, and Ambassador Jefferson Caffery

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notes by m Caffery MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATIONS AT THE WHITE HOUSE ON AUGUST 22, 1945 details to file BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL DE GAULLE The President had two conversations at the White House with General de Gaulle on August 22. The first conversa- tion was held in the afternoon following de Gaulle's arrival, and the second after dinner that evening. The following persons were present at both conversations: M. Bidault Secretary Byrnes Admiral Leahy Ambassador Bonnet Ambassador Caffery The first conversation was devoted to a general dis- cussion of French economic conditions, with particular reference to the possibility of cooperation on the part of the United States, with the view of bettering the economic situation. The President asked General de Gaulle about the French coal situation; told him of his real con- cern about the coal shortage in Europe and reviewed the steps which the United States Government has taken to endeavor to improve the situation. General de Gaulle replied by outlining the progress which has already been made to increase French coal pro- duction, which he said at present is about two-thirds. of pre- war production. He explained the difficulties which the French have had to overcome to achieve this level of produc- tion and mentioned the lack of transport, the lack of pit props