Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, General, Volume I

500.CC/9–1744

Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Stettinius) to President Roosevelt ⁹⁷

Washington, September 17, 1944.

Subject: Progress Report on Dumbarton Oaks Conversations—Twenty-fifth Day

In the morning I checked with Ambassador Gromyko to ascertain whether he had received official instructions from his Government indicating that the possible compromise voting formula⁹⁸ was unacceptable. He confirmed that he had received such instructions.

A little before noon, as I have told you on the telephone, a small American group had a long discussion with Secretary Hull.⁹⁹ Following that I called you on the telephone,¹ at which time we agreed on a proposal for closing down the conversations at Dumbarton Oaks with the Soviets as soon as possible, holding conversations with the British and Chinese immediately thereafter, hoping to limit them to three or four days, and then to issue simultaneously in the four capitals releases indicating the progress made and explaining that there were certain open points which the Governments would have to study in more detail. The release would then explain that the delegations were going home to report to their Governments and that representatives of the three Governments would meet again not later than November 15 to prepare complete proposals which could serve as a basis of discussion at a full United Nations conference.

I attach a copy of the outline of this proposal which I made to Sir Alexander Cadogan and Ambassador Gromyko at a meeting at 4:00 p.m. They seemed to receive it favorably and agreed to wire home for instructions on it. The [American] Group then drafted two possible communiqués—one intended for issuance at the end of the British-Soviet talks and the other at the end of the British-Chinese talks—inasmuch as Ambassador Gromyko stated that he would have to tell his Government exactly what would be said publicly under this proposal. These are the communiqués which I read to you in our telephone conversation around 9:00 p.m. Copies are attached.

E[dward] S[tettinius]

[Annex 1]

U.S. Proposal of Possible Procedure

1. Suspend the Soviet phase of the conversations.

2. Begin discussions with the Chinese.

3. At the conclusion of the Chinese discussions an identical communiqué would be issued by each government to the effect that:

(a) Agreement has been reached on a wide range of subjects. The discussions at Dumbarton Oaks have been another instance of cooperation among the principal allies in this war, and a step forward in reaching agreement for the post-war period.

(b) Before complete proposals can be placed before the other United Nations as a basis of discussion at a conference, it is necessary for each of the governments to give further consideration to the subject in all of its phases and implications.

(c) In the meantime, in order to provide an opportunity for public study and discussion, there is made public a memorandum setting forth the substance of the document worked out at Dumbarton Oaks, except the section relating to voting in the Council. This document should be described as indicating the area of agreement reached so far.

(d) Not later than November 15th, after the governments have completed their further studies and sufficient time has been afforded for public discussion, representatives of the governments now represented at Dumbarton Oaks would meet again to complete the preparation of proposals which could then serve as a basis of discussion at a full United Nations Conference.

[Annex 2]

Draft Communiqué

Conversations between the United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union delegations in Washington regarding the establishment of a World Security Organization have now been completed. The three delegations are making reports to their respective Governments who will consider these reports and will in due course issue a simultaneous statement on the subject.

[Annex 3]

Draft Communiqué

The Government of __________ has now received the report of its Delegation to the conversations held in Washington between August 21–September ____________ with the Delegations of ____________ on the subject of an international organization for the maintenance of peace and security.

There is annexed hereto a statement of the tentative proposals which have resulted from the conversations, indicating in detail the wide range of subjects on which agreement has been reached.

The Governments which were represented in the discussions in Washington have agreed that after further study of these proposals, and not later than November 15, they will take the necessary steps with a view to the preparation of complete proposals which could then serve as a basis of discussion at a full United Nations Conference.

Meanwhile the _____________ Governments, which are already directly and jointly engaged in the suppression of the forces that have disturbed the peace of the world, are resolved to work together for the future enforcement of the terms of surrender to be imposed on the common enemy.

97. Substantially the same report was made on the same day to Secretary Hull.
98. Dated September 13, p. 805.
99. Agreement was reached during the noon meeting in the Secretary’s apartment to present to the President a proposal for closing down the conversations as soon as possible.
1. At Secretary Hull’s suggestion, Under Secretary Stettinius telephoned President Roosevelt at Hyde Park, N.Y., where the President had gone after the Quebec Conference, to make an appointment to come there to discuss the compromise formula with him in person. Secretary Hull indicated in his Memoirs that he had the impression that “the President and the Prime Minister were so busy with their discussions at Quebec that they simply did not take the time to give the question the serious consideration it deserved.” President Roosevelt favored postponement of any discussion of the problem until his return to Washington. (Memoirs, vol. ii, p. 1702.)