June 17, 1945
Went down the River today on the Potomac to discuss plans, issues, and decisions. Took Charlie Ross, straight thinker, honest man who tells me the truth so I understand what he means; Matt Connelly, shrewd Irishman, who raises up the chips and shows me the bugs, honest, fair, "diplomatic" with me; Judge Fred Vinson, straight shooter, knows Congress and how they think, a man to trust; Judge Rosenman, one of the ablest in Washington, keen mind, a lucid pen, a loyal Roosevelt man and equally loyal Truman man; Steve Early, a keen observer, political and other wise has acted as my hatchet man, absolutely loyal and trustworthy, same can be said as about Rosenman.
We discussed public relations in Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Belgium, England and Russia. Food, fuel, transportation and what to do about it. Japanese War and the relations with China, Russia, and Britain with regard to it, Supreme Commander and what to do with Mr. Prima Donna, Brass Hat, Five Star MacArthur. He's worse than the Cabots and the Lodges-they at least talked with one another before they told God what to do. Mac tells God right off. It is a very great pity we have to have stuffed Shirts like that in key positions. I don't see why in Hell Roosevelt didn't order Wainwright home and let MacArthur be a martyr. Guess he was afraid of the Sabotage Press-McCormick-Patterson Axis. We'd have had a real General and a fighting man if we had Wainwright and not a play actor and a bunko man such as we have now.
Don't see how a country can produce such men as Robert E. Lee, John J. Pershing, Eisenhower, & Bradley and at the same time produce Custers, Pattons, and MacArthurs.
I have to decide Japanese strategy-shall we invade Japan proper or shall we bomb and blockade? That is my hardest decision to date. But I'll make it when I have all the facts.
So you see we talk about more than "Cabbages & Kings and Sealing wax and things." They talked of many things Shoes and sealing wax and cabbages and kings.
July 4
Down Potomac on the Potomac with Vinson, Snyder, Rosenman, Geo. Allen, Steve Early, Charlie Ross & Matt Connelly. Discussed Russia & Jap War, Govt. for Germany, Food, fuel, & transportation for Europe, Sterling bloc etc. Don't feel happy over situation.
Surplus property a headache. Senate wire pullers are at work. Good chance for a first class scandle [sic]. Think I fire whole board and start over.