740.0011 Moscow/9–1443
Memorandum by the Secretary of
State to President Roosevelt
[Washington,] September 14, 1943.
In response to your request I am transmitting herewith draft suggestions
for an agenda for the Tripartite Conference.
This matter requires some rather careful consideration.
It seems to me that it would be well not to be too detailed in suggesting
items for discussion but try to keep the exchange of views on the broad
basis of general world security within which framework, if the Soviet
Government is willing to cooperate, many of the detailed questions would
be more easily solved.
It might be well to have the question of the Soviet attitude toward the
Pacific war situation come up, but I question the advisability of
including any such item in a proposed agenda.
[Enclosure]
Draft Agenda for Tripartite Conference
1. General security (four-nation declaration).
As a basis for the maintenance of peace and security in the world
after the end of hostilities, it is suggested that the United
States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and China enter into a
four-nation arrangement which would provide for consultation and
cooperation in carrying out the responsibilities of those four
nations for the maintenance of peace by continuing after the war the
present collaboration in the prosecution of the war.
A tentative draft of such declaration is attached hereto.
2. Treatment of Germany and other
enemy countries in Europe.
- (a)
- During armistice period, international military, political,
and economic control over Germany.
- (b)
- Steps towards ultimate settlement:—length of armistice period,
future status of German Government, frontiers, and other
questions.
3. Economic matters for
reconstruction.
- (a)
- Question of reparations.
- (b)
- Cooperation in rehabilitation of war damage in U. S. S.
R.
- (c)
- Joint action for assistance to other countries.
- (d)
- Collaboration on an international basis dealing with matters
such as food and agriculture, transport and communications,
finance and trade, and I.L.O.24
- (e)
- Any specific matters either of the other Governments wishes to
raise.
4. Methods of dealing with current
political and economic issues and those which may arise as the
tear progresses.
Our proposal is that matters on which it is found desirable for the
three Governments to consult should be dealt with in Moscow, London,
or Washington as may be most appropriate on an ad
hoc basis by the permanent diplomatic representatives in
each capital. Experts could be sent if desired to participate
depending upon the character of the subjects under discussion. This
is not intended to preclude the holding of international or
tripartite conferences as occasion may make desirable.
We will be prepared to discuss at the October Moscow Conference any
current issues proposed by either of the other two Governments on
which it may be found timely to consult.
[Subenclosure]
Annex No. 125
Tentative Draft of a Joint Four-Power
Declaration
The Governments of the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union
and China:
united in their determination, in accordance with the Declaration by
the United Nations of January 1, 1942, and subseuent declarations,
[Page 523]
to continue
hostilities against those Axis powers with which they respectively
are at war until such powers have laid down their arms on the basis
of unconditional surrender;
conscious of their responsibility to secure the liberation of
themselves and the peoples allied with them from the menace of
aggression;
recognizing the necessity of ensuring a rapid and orderly transition
from war to peace and of establishing and maintaining international
peace and security with the least diversion of the world’s human and
economic resources for armaments;
jointly declare:
- 1.
- That their united action, pledged for the prosecution of
the war, will be continued for the organization and
maintenance of peace and security.
- 2.
- That those of them at war with a common enemy will act
together in all matters relating to the surrender and
disarmament of that enemy, and to any occupation of enemy
territory and of territory of other states held by that
enemy.
- 3.
- That they will take all measures deemed by them to be
necessary to provide against any violation of the
requirements imposed upon their present enemies.
- 4.
- That they recognize the necessity of establishing at the
earliest practicable date a general international
organization, based on the principle of the sovereign
equality of all nations, and open to membership by all
nations, large and small, for the maintenance of
international peace and security.
- 5.
- That for the purpose of maintaining international peace
and security pending the reestablishment of law and order
and the inauguration of a general system of security, they
will consult and act jointly in behalf of the community of
nations.
- 6.
- That, in connection with the foregoing purpose, they will
establish a technical commission to advise them on the
military problems involved, including the composition and
strength of the forces available in an emergency arising
from a threat to the peace.
- 7.
- That they will cooperate with each other in bringing about
a practicable lightening of the burden of armaments for
themselves and for the world.
- 8.
- That they will not employ their military forces within the
territories of other states except for the purposes
envisaged in this declaration and after joint consultation
and agreement.
