800.51W89 U.S.S.R./152: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:20 p.m.]
396. My 394, November 21, noon.77 Skvirsky will probably be unable to leave for the United States in the immediate future as his wife has apparently contracted diphtheria. Troyanovsky who probably will not get away before the end of the month is pressing for Skvirsky’s departure at the earliest possible moment. I calculate that Troyanovsky will not reach Washington before the 7th of January if then.
[Page 164]Supplementing the last paragraph of my 389, November 18, 8 a.m., French diplomacy has become feverishly active in the last few days. Soviet policy has I understand been playing off both the United States and Germany against France. The Kremlin is now clearly gratified that the French Government has in consequence been spurred into energetic action but to my information it remains skeptical that the Flandin government at present can consummate an effective Eastern pact or wishes or is able to propose a large scale financial settlement on acceptable terms. Indeed the suspicion has been awakened in respect of the latter question that recent intimations of French willingness to extend generous credits are a tactical maneuver to delay the conclusion of a Soviet settlement of debts and claims with the United States.
In private conversation a Soviet official who is close to the Kremlin and out of sympathy with Litvinov complained that France was pursuing a dog-in-the-manger policy. He made the surprising suggestion that it would be highly opportune for the United States to bring pressure on the French franc. I exhibited no sympathy whatsoever with this.
I am reliably informed that Troyanovsky in conversation with another party member expressed optimism that on his return to Washington he would be able successfully to conclude an agreement with the United States.
It is probable that the Soviet Government will not definitely formulate its position until after Marchandeau’s visit to Moscow which is scheduled for the first half of December.
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