611.6131/410: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 11—6:37 a.m.]
165. Your 99, July 10, 5 p.m., paragraph numbered 2. Foreign Office says that Litvinov’s plans are changed and that he will not arrive until some days later. It states, however, that when Litvinov left he expected to be away for only a few days and did not take steps to have Krestinski designated as Acting Commissar. Krestinski has no title at the present time other than that of Assistant People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs which title will be used in all notes. They maintain, however, that he has full power to sign agreements or treaties in his present capacity.
[The text of the agreement effected by exchange of notes on July 11, 1936, printed as Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 96, and in 50 Stat. 1433, is the same as the text of the draft notes quoted in telegram No. 163, July 9, 1936, 3 p.m., from the Chargé in the Soviet Union, printed on page 340. For text of press release issued by the Department July 11, 1936, see Department of State, Press Releases, July 11, 1936, page 18.]