611.6131/409: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union ( Henderson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 9—11:44 a.m.]
163. Your 98, July 7, 10 p.m.
1. The following is the full text of exchange of notes to be signed by Krestinski and myself on July 11, 1936, at 3 p.m.
Note A.
“Moscow, July 11, 1936.
Excellency: In accordance with the conversations which have taken place, I have the honor to confirm on behalf of my Government the agreement which has been reached between the Governments of our respective countries that the agreement regarding commercial relations between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics recorded in the exchange of notes between the American Ambassador and the People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs on July 13, 1935, shall continue in force for another year, that is, until July 13, 1937.
[Page 341]Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration. Signed Loy W. Henderson, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United States of America.
His Excellency N. N.
Krestinski,
Assistant People’s Commissar for
Foreign Affairs, Moscow.”
Note B.
“Moscow, July 11th, 1936.
Mr. Chargé d’Affaires: In accordance with the conversations which have taken place, I have the honor to confirm on behalf of my Government the agreement which has been reached between the Governments of our respective countries that the agreement regarding commercial relations between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America recorded in the exchange of notes between the People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs and the American Ambassador on July 13, 1935, shall continue in force for another year, that is, until July 13, 1937.
Accept, Mr. Chargé d’Affaires, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration. Signed N. Krestinski Assistant People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Loy W.
Henderson,
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the
United States of America, Moscow.”
Note C.
“Moscow, July 9, 1936.
Excellency: I have the honor to refer to our recent conversations in regard to the prolongation of the agreement of July 13, 1935, concerning commercial relations between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and to ask you to let me know the value of articles the growth, produce, or manufacture of the United States of America which the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics intends to purchase in the United States of America during the next 12 months for export to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Accept, Excellency, the renewed asurances of my highest consideration. Signed Loy W. Henderson, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United States of America.
His Excellency N. N.
Krestinski,
Assistant People’s Commissar for
Foreign Affairs, Moscow.”
Note D.
“Moscow, July 13, 1936.
Mr. Chargé d’Affaires: In reply to your inquiry regarding the intended purchases by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the United States of America in the course of the next 12 months, I have the honor to inform you that, according to information received by me from the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Trade, the economic organizations of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics intend to buy in the United States of America in the course of the next 12 months American goods in the amount of at least $30,000,000.
[Page 342]Accept, Mr. Chargé d’Affaires, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration. Signed N. Krestinski, Assistant People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Loy W.
Henderson,
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the
United States of America, Moscow.”
2. The Foreign Office has no objection to the notes being released as suggested in your numbered paragraph 4.
3. I would appreciate it if the Department would find it possible to prepare a short statement for me to give to the American journalists here on July 11 immediately after the release of notes A and B. Although they have realized that conversations have been taking place they have been loyal in not endeavoring to obtain advance information and it would be helpful if the Embassy in return could assist them in writing their stories.
4. The Soviet Government desires that the reference in the Department’s statement of July 11 to Soviet assurances be changed to read somewhat as follows: “The Soviet Government has informed the American Government that the appropriate Soviet economic organizations intend to purchase during the next 12 months American goods to the value of at least $30,000,000.”
5. I have written an informal letter as authorized in your numbered paragraph 1 to Mr. Rosenblum under date of July 8 and am to hand it to him on July 11 under the conditions laid down by you.
6. Krestinski is signing the notes as Assistant People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs because Litvinov may arrive in Moscow on July 12.