In 17 days at Potsdam, the Big Three made surprisingly little news (much of what they did and said had already been decided and predicted). But they made history of a sort:
¶ Big Three relations had entered a phase where a less spectacular channel than conferences of heads of state was required.
Accordingly, a continuing Council of Foreign Ministers, with France and China participating, was set up to draft peace settlements which might substitute for a general peace conference. The new council, with its permanent secretariat, would sit in London.
¶ Subterfuge no longer obscured Russia's intention to...