Document:
Diary Entry of Harry S. Truman, 18th July 1945
Source [link within this page]:
Diary Entry of Harry S. Truman, 18th July 1945
Available online at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Museum and Library
Comments:
Truman was attending the Potsdam conference in Germany when he received news of the first successful atomic bomb test in New Mexico. The Japanese have put out peace feelers. Notice Truman felt confident that the use of the bomb would bring war to an end but the document also reveals his view on a timeline for a Japanese surrender before the Russians entered the war. Is this a hope of the president? Is it a plan to use the bomb in this way to thwart the Soviets? Is it nothing more than simply noting a matter of fact?
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P.M. [Prime Minister Winston Churchill] & I ate alone. Discussed Manhattan [atomic bomb] (it is a success). Decided to tell Stalin about it. Stalin had told P.M. of telegram from Jap Emperor asking for peace. Stalin also read his answer to me. It was satisfactory. Believe Japs will fold up before Russia comes in. I am sure they will when Manhattan appears over their homeland. I shall inform Stalin about it at an opportune time.
Original handwritten entry