861.50 Am 3/4: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Houghton) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9 p.m.]
150. On the invitation of John Callan O’Laughlin50 I had lunch this noon with Krassin. O’Laughlin received word from Chicherin that he would come with Krassin as he also wished to talk with me. I did not object and Chicherin came.
Krassin and Chicherin were in agreement that it was not possible to have an international committee, because it would consist of interests that would be competing and mutually antagonistic and because the Russian people would fear that the establishment of an international committee meant that ultimately there would be a protectorate. Krassin and Chicherin both said that a technical commission from the United States of the nature outlined, representing basic industries, would be welcome provided it did not seek to enter [Page 830] disturbed areas or meddle in politics. However they both agreed that they were without any authority to speak for the Soviet Government. Finally Krassin proposed that if I would cable and find out whether you desired to send such a commission, he and Chicherin would get in touch with Moscow at once to learn its decision. Then we could have another meeting. Since I had discussed the committee as an idea of my own, due to Chicherin’s presence, I agreed to this suggestion. The above was the only matter of interest in our meeting, although there was much general conversation. Krassin goes to Moscow tomorrow morning by airplane. Chicherin told me he was staying here two weeks longer.
- American journalist.↩