861.00 Congress, Communist International, VII/85: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union ( Bullitt ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 27—11:30 a.m.]
392. I called on Krestinski at 4 this afternoon. Whereupon he said that he had a reply to the note which I had handed him on the 25th. I took the document and said merely “thank you.” He then asked if I would read the note at once and would discuss it with him. I replied that, as the note was in Russian, and as I did not trust my Russian sufficiently to be sure that I should understand all its implications, I would prefer to have a translation made before discussing it. [Page 252] He then said that he or Weinberg who was present would be glad to translate it into either French or German. I answered that as the matter was of such importance I preferred to have my own translation made and communicate with my Government before entering into any discussion whatsoever and thereupon left.
Krestinski was obviously somewhat disappointed that I did not remain for a personal conversation.
The text of the note follows as my number 393, August 27, 6 p.m.
I should be grateful for immediate instructions.