740.00113 European War 1939/494: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
5213. Your 5422, September 29, 10 p.m. The proposed text has the approval of the Department and other interested agencies in Washington. It is felt, however, that it would be highly desirable to have Russia join in making this declaration rather than to make a separate declaration of its own. It is suggested that by a slight change of the text the Russian objections to joining with the other powers in issuing a joint statement might be avoided. The Soviet position with reference to Japan might be taken care of, if the phrase “the Axis powers and their associates” as used in the second and third paragraphs of the quoted portions of your telegram under reference were deleted and the phrase “the governments with which the signatories are at war” were inserted in each instance in lieu thereof. If the suggested changes do not satisfy the position of the Russians and that Government insists on a separate declaration, then the Department sees noreason for making any changes in the text. The Department suggests that this matter be taken up with the appropriate authorities as soon as possible and that it be advised of any developments.
Please inform the Department in advance of the date when the declaration will be issued and of any changes of the text as quoted in the telegram under reference, so that adequate provision may be made for its receiving due publicity in this country.