611.6131/326: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 11—3:40 p.m.]
276. My telegram No. 275, July 11, 5 p.m. This evening unexpectedly I saw Litvinov. He refused to publish the notes and his letter to me simultaneously but agreed to sign them simultaneously at noon July 13th post-dating his letter to me July 15th. He has no objection to the publication of his letter on July 15th and no objection to our stating on July 13th that the Soviet Government has assured us that it intends to purchase $30,000,000 worth of goods in the United States in the 12 months covered by the notes.
He is ready to arrange publication at any time convenient to us. It occurs to me that Sunday evening, July 14th, at 7 p.m. Moscow time (noon, July 14th Washington time) might be preferable to Saturday afternoon July 13th.
On the other hand if the news should be given out here at 4 p.m. Saturday Moscow time (9 a.m. Washington time) it would be possible for you to publish text of Litvinov’s letter to me on Monday, July 15th. He desires 48 hours to elapse between publication of the notes and publication of the letter to me.
I believe that this compromise should be accepted.
I should be obliged if you would reply as soon as possible so that formalities may be arranged.