File No. 763.72/5177

The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

1356. Answering your 1460, June 2, 11 a.m., received to-day. Your 1426 [received] May 27 [25?], and communicated to Minister for Foreign Affairs same date, 9 p.m., at the Embassy to which he came by my request en route to Council of Ministers which meets every night. Your instruction was to confer concerning propriety of giving same simultaneous publicity. Minister for Foreign Affairs took verbatim copy of President’s message to Council of Ministers but said reply already received from England and France had been returned for alteration as their publication would have disquieting effect here. Not hearing from Minister for Foreign Affairs I sent him official verbatim copy May 29 and asked when same would be published as desired give out message simultaneously there. He told me while lunching at the Embassy May 30 that wished publish simultaneously with our message the reply from England and joint reply from France and Italy on same subject. I cabled situation in my No. 1348, May 31, 6 p.m. Endeavored to make appointment with Minister for Foreign Affairs June 1 but Minister for Foreign Affairs said impossible and fixed hour for 3.30 p.m., June 2. Cabled you result of that conference in my No. 1354, June 3, 9 p.m.; 10 a.m. to-day Minister for Foreign Affairs telephoned postponing conference previously fixed for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shall cable result to-night. Your No. 1456, May 31, 6 p.m., received June 3.

Francis