-4- #3278, March 29, 9 p.m., from London as "a proposal for consideration of the Committee". Soviet Government understands Crimea Conference decision in respect to Germany's dismemberment not as an obligatory plan for dismemberment but as a possibility for exercising pressure on Germany with an aim of rendering Germany harmless in case other means should prove inadequate. END OF PARAPHRASE. Gousev's reply has been sent to me informally, and i assume that Mr. Eden will now acknowledge Gousev's letter and will formally communicate to me copies of Gousev's letter and of his own reply. The Soviet statement of March 26 represents a notable success for the concept that the Committee on Dismemberment is intended to consider not merely the question of "procedure" for effecting dismemberment but also, and in the first instance, the substantive question of the desirability and feasibility of dismemberment. Thus far there is no indication of a fixed Soviet view on dismemberment. Gousev's letter makes it plain that at this stage his government is not committed in principle to a policy of dismemberment. I appreciate the indication recieved from the Department that it sees no objection to enlarging the membership of the committee |