740.00119 EW/11–2744: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
2846. Since the British Foreign Office has already been informed of the American position on the reparations article of the Hungarian armistice, as set forth in Department’s telegrams 2584 and 2585 November 2 and 2739 November 25, the Department believes it might be advantageous to present this Government’s views to the Soviet Government for its consideration prior to the resumption of the general discussions on armistice terms for Hungary. This might serve as a means of re-opening the discussions. The Department sees no reason why they should be longer delayed, since it would be desirable for the Allied Governments to have reached agreement and to have surrender terms ready for acceptance by a Hungarian Government when one with which they can deal comes into existence.
The matter of timing the presentation to the Soviet Government of this Government’s position on the reparations article (reEmbs 4523 November 27) is left to your discretion. We think, however, that since the British views on the substance of the article are not entirely in agreement with ours, and since we desire to avoid the appearance of a previously agreed British-American position against the Russians, it would be better that our views be presented to the Soviet Government independently.