Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, Paris Peace Conference: Proceedings, Volume III

740.00119 Council/7–2746: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Delegation at the Council of Foreign Ministers, at Paris

secret

Washington, July 27, 1946—4 p.m.

3698. Secdel 530. For Matthews from Hickerson. Thompson drafted and I signed today the following memorandum to Cohen and the Secretary but they departed before it could be delivered.³³

“The inclusion in the Soviet delegation to the Paris conference of the three Foreign Ministers of the Baltic States indicates that the question of the recognition of the absorption of these countries into the Soviet Union may be raised at the conference.³⁴

“It appears inevitable that we must sooner or later recognize de jure this development which has long since been accomplished de facto. In view of the categoric and uncompromising statement made by the Secretary of State at the time the Baltic States were absorbed, it would be easier for us to go along with the states represented at a large international conference in recognizing this development than to do so by independent action on our part. If this should occur, it is suggested that the following points be considered in connection with any act of recognition:

• “(1) We should avoid any action which would in any way furnish a basis for a claim to separate representation of the Baltic States in the United Nations or in any international conference.
• “(2) It would be exceedingly helpful if at the time of recognition the Soviet Government could be persuaded to agree that nationals of the Baltic States outside the Soviet Union could be allowed freely to opt whether or not they desire to return to their homes.
• “(3) It would be helpful to accord recognition on the basis of determining European frontiers by international action. This might be tied in with the determination by a conference of Poland’s eastern frontier. This would furnish a precedent for international action in later determining the western frontier of Poland.
• “(4) Any act of recognition should be contingent upon the Soviet Union’s agreement to compensate American citizens for their claims for property confiscated in the Baltic States since these states were absorbed into the Soviet Union.

“It would seem to be more logical and to our advantage to settle this whole question in connection with the conclusion of a peace treaty with Germany.”

• [Hickerson]
• [Acheson]

33. Telegram 3692 (Delsec 754) indicated that Secretary Byrnes arrived in Paris on July 28 (740.00119 Council/7–2846).
34. On July 9, 1946, John E. Utter reported in a memorandum to Matthews his conversation with Lithuanian exile leaders in Paris. They had expressed concern that during the Peace Conference the Soviet Union might attempt to extract some form of recognition of the absorption of the Baltic states. (C.F.M. Files) A memorandum of conversation, October 3, 1946, indicated that Hickerson assured the Lithuanian Minister (Zadeikis) that the inclusion of Baltic officials in the Soviet delegation “had not affected in any way the attitude and policy of the United States Government.” (740.0011 EW Peace/10–346)