800.51W89 U.S.S.R./32: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 13—12:35 p.m.]
51. Your telegram No. 42, April 12, 1 p.m. Rubinin’s trip ostensibly is to familiarize himself with the United States. His real purpose is to give Troyanovsky an intimate view of Litvinov’s position with regard to the matter of debts and claims and to bring back to Moscow first-hand information as to the position of the Government of the United States.
I am informed unofficially but I think reliably that Troyanovsky has reported that he is in a helpless position being unable successfully to interpret the assurances which Litvinov gave in Washington or to contest the position taken by the Department.
I feel sure that Rubinin has not been empowered to enter into any negotiations but merely to give and receive information. Nevertheless I attach great importance to his receiving a swift impact.