Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume I

Truman Papers

No. 229
Memorandum by the Assistant to the President’s Naval Aide (Elsey)¹

top secret

[Undated.]

The Peace Conference

On two occasions during Mr. Hopkins’ recent visit to Moscow, Marshal Stalin emphasized the importance of planning at once for the organization of the Peace Conference insofar as it relates to Europe. Mr. Hopkins reported to the President that Stalin was apparently thinking about a formal conference, for he referred to the Versailles Conference at which he said the Allies were not properly prepared and he stated that was a mistake which should not be made again.

Mr. Hopkins reported that Stalin will discuss arrangements for a Peace Conference at the meeting in Berlin.²

G. M. Elsey

1. Submitted to Leahy July 1 and subsequently forwarded to Truman.
2. Cf. document No. 147.