Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Ambassador of France Henri Bonnet, and Theodore Achilles

ARCNIVES 'NATIONAL AMD COMMENT ON MR. GRENVILLE CLARK'S MEMORANDUM OF SERVICE* RECOROS DECEMBER lst, 1948 e ROVERN REGARDING UNITED WORID VEBERALIST'S POLICY Mr. Clark believes that a "gound and complete policy" has now been found by UWF with respect to the transformation of the United Nations inte an effective Federation and the settlement of the main issues between the Soviet Union and the West. The solution, he thinks, is one big negotiation with Russia on both these interdependent matters. This negotiation "might extend over several years since the obstacles are great and the utmost patience will be required." (Having had some rather extensive negotiating experience with Russia, I can keenly appreciate the force of this statement). "It has been a necessary thing to make it plain to Russia that her further expansion would be promptly opposed." Presumably, therefore, the negotiation would proceed on the basis that the vast Central European territory into which Russia has already forcibly expanded since the end of the war is now hers without further question. It is not clear as to what the situation would be if other States, now free and independent, should fall into the Russian orbit by the usual methods, during the "several years" which the negotiations would require. I d o not advocate going to war with Russia for the restora- tion of the integrity and independence of Cxechoslovakia, and other States which she has forcibly subdued to her will. But I am opposed to any plan of negotiation with Russia which tacitly recognizes her right to keep her heel on the necks of the millions of people of these Central European States forcibly brought under her dominion since the end of the war. Any negotation which recognizes such right, or ignores the question, cannot possibly bring peace to the world, ven though agreement were reached on every other point of differ- ence. There will be no peace in the world until Russia returns to her prewar boundaries. The obvious question is: How can this be accomplished short of war? Possibly it may never be accomplished but I believe that it can be; but not under the present policies and procedure of the democracies.