CABINET MEETING, FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1946
After greeting by the President, the Secretary of Agriculture opened the meeting.
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE ANDERSON
Discussed the selfish attitude of the British with respect to the grain situation. British Government now has 10 ½ weeks stock ahead where no where else in the world is there more than two weeks stock ahead.
SECRETARY OF STATE BYRNES
The disposition of the Dodecannes and Tripolitania is the serious current problem in connection with international relations. Believes Russia will settle for Greece, taking Dodecannes but the Russians do not want that territory demilitarized. Russia is extremely anxious to maintain a military base in the Mediterranean.
In Italy we are advancing relief whereby the Soviet is demanding reparations. This in fact means that we would be paying reparations to the Soviet.
THE PRESIDENT
Stated that we will not under any circumstances pay reparations to Russia. He recalled that that was made clear during the meeting at Potsdam.
SECRETARY OF STATE BYRNES
Predicted that no agreement will be reached at the coming meeting in Paris. He is convinced that there will be an impasse. Following this meeting he believes that the United States, Britain and France may sign a separate treaty with Italy and later present it to the other nations for ratification.
Secretary Byrnes predicted that the government of France will change in the coming election. Predicted that Bidault and De Gaulle will go out. Blum's statement that the present government will remain to the contrary.
Spanish situation is fanned up by the political situation in France and will remain serious until after the elections.
SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY VINSON
We are making every effort to make a loan to France as soon as possible in order to help our own interests in France.
SECRETARY OF STATE BYRNES
Commented that the only place where money has not influenced national interest is Russia. He stated that the Poles indicate a willingness to listen to U.S. proposals anticipating that we may grant them a loan. Commented that we are in this thing all over the world to an extent that few people realize.
THE PRESIDENT
Read a dispatch with respect to bases in Iceland which indicated that statements of Secretary Wallace and Senator Pepper with respect to the withdrawal of troops from Iceland had seriously impaired our negotiations and we would probably fail to work out a satisfactory arrangement with the government of Iceland because of the utterances of the above officials.
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FORRESTAL
Declared that every Cabinet officer should clear every statement with respect to foreign policy with the State Department and the President. (The Cabinet meeting was interrupted by a long distance call from Herbert Hoover at Cairo requesting authority to proceed to India. The President granted this authority)
THE PRESI DENT
Informed the Cabinet that he approved the work which Hoover was doing in connection with the study of famine relief in Europe and the Near East.