500.A15A4 General Committee/684: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Long) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received December 5—9:20 a.m.]
147. My 144, December 3, 10 a.m. Litvinov last night told me he and Mussolini were talking about subjects practically as set out in my cable under reference; that neither of them had any particular [Page 326] plan or project. They find their economic relations fairly satisfactory. They are discussing political subjects at greater length. They find themselves in agreement on many points.
As regards the League, Litvinov took practically the position outlined to me by Suvich, emphasized the desirability of divorcing the League from sanctions and from the Treaty of Versailles and declared that the one or two governments heretofore directing its policy should be prevented from doing so by changing the structure of the organization. He said that Mussolini told him he was dissatisfied with the League and while he would not withdraw now he might later. He said that Russia did not approve of it for the reasons mentioned above and would not join but that if it was changed to cure those objectionable features Russia would consider membership in the light of changed conditions; that Russia was consecrated to peace and was desirous of international cooperation to secure it; but that the League was now controlled by militarists who precluded the disarmament which was a necessary prelude to peace.
Litvinov said Mussolini had expressed interest in and sympathy with Russia in her difficulties with Japan. He said that Germany and Japan had the same psychology. Litvinov is antagonistic to both countries and believes our recognition46 has helped their Far Eastern problem.
He leaves tonight for Berlin.
Suvich expects to be away from Italy for a week beginning the end of this week. I believe he is preparing to visit Berlin, Paris and probably London on League and disarmament matters but cannot confirm this yet.
Repeated to Berlin; mailed to Paris, Geneva and London.
- For correspondence relating to the recognition of Soviet Russia by the United States, see vol. ii, pp. 778 ff.↩