811.00B/1566: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 5—9 p.m.]
344. In accordance with the instruction contained in your 202, August 14, I protested today to Litvinoff orally and informally with regard to direction from Moscow of the activities of the Communist movement in the United States. I informed Litvinoff that if at the Comintern Congress, which is scheduled to take place in the month of January, there should be attacks on the Government of the United States or indications that the Communist movement in the United States was being directed by Moscow the most serious consequences might result; that the Government of the United States was as sensitive as the people of the United States to any interference in our internal affairs by agencies of foreign countries. Litvinov replied that he did not even know that the Comintern Congress would take place and that he was not aware of any activities of this nature.
I shall take up the matter again with Litvinoff before I leave Moscow and I should be glad to know if the Department desires me to present any written protest. I believe that Litvinoff will do what he can to prevent any activities of the Comintern which might be in conflict with his pledge to the Government of the United States and [Page 157] I have been reliably informed that the Soviet Government is keeping an extremely tight rein on the Comintern and that the Comintern will not be permitted to do anything which might jeopardize good relations of the Soviet Union with friendly countries.
I think I might go so far as to intimate to Litvinoff verbally that we might sever diplomatic relations if the Comintern should be allowed to get out of hand. It is my own opinion that this matter may be handled better by verbal representation than by written notes. I would appreciate a comment from the Department.