Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1939, General, Volume I

761.6211/61: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

London, August 22, 1939—2 p.m.
[Received August 22—10:15 a.m.]

1209. The news which was received in London very late last night, that both Berlin and Moscow have announced the intention to conclude a Russo-German non-aggression pact³⁹ and that Ribbentrop is to fly to Moscow to sign the agreement, is reported in the press with frank surprise. The Foreign Office this morning informed me that they had so far received no information in regard to the matter other than the published communiqués from Berlin and Moscow. According to the press, this latest news has caused the Prime Minister to summon for this afternoon a meeting of the entire Cabinet instead of the limited meeting of Ministers which had been previously contemplated. All members of the Cabinet are understood now to be in London with the exception of Lord Maugham,⁴⁰ who is in Canada.

A reliable American press correspondent informed me that he talked last night with Ambassador Maisky after midnight; that the Ambassador apparently had had no previous information regarding the reported Russo-German move and warned the correspondent against drawing too many implications; the Ambassador suggested that it might be simply another maneuver on the part of Germany to drive a wedge between Great Britain and Russia.

However that may be, it appears to me that it signifies at least the failure of one of the principal conferences on that subject, objectives of the Anglo-French-Russian negotiations which was to prevent Russia from aligning herself in any way with the Axis powers. While it is too early, with imperfect knowledge of what the move means and what is intended, to draw any conclusions, it appears from any interpretation to be a serious setback for the Anglo-French “stop Hitler” movement, and can hardly fail to be so regarded here.

The news came too late to allow for much comment or reaction in this morning’s papers. Insofar as expressed, however, the common reaction has been well stated by the Daily Herald: “The announcement is so staggering as to appear hardly credible” after observing that by all standards of international good faith it would seem inconceivable that such a pact of friendship should be negotiated by Soviet Russia with Germany at this stage when Germany directly threatens the peace of Europe and when Russia is in the very midst of negotiations with Great Britain and France. The Daily Herald observes “such a pact can represent at this moment only a direct incentive to Germany to continue her campaign against Poland—almost an invitation on Russia’s part for her to take what action she wills”.

In a more partisan vein, the Daily Herald, commenting on the criminal hesitation on the part of the British and French Governments in their relations with Russia and the latter’s comprehensible distrust of them, goes on to say “but it can provide no excuse for what, if it is true, is a bigger betrayal of peace and of European freedom even than Munich. The issues which now face Britain and Europe are of the gravest character. …⁴¹ During the next few days the issue of peace or war may well be decided”.

The Daily Mail comments very briefly. After referring to the unparalleled situation which thus appears to have been created, it suggests the far reaching implications that such a step must have, namely in signifying the end of the Franco-Russian Treaty for Mutual Assistance and in cancelling the Anti-Comintern Pact entered into by Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain.⁴²

Johnson

39. For notice of the German announcement of the intention of the German and Soviet Governments to conclude a nonaggression pact, see telegram No. 852, August 21, midnight, from the Chargé in Germany, p. 337.
40. Lord Chancellor in the British Cabinet.
41. Omission indicated in the original telegram.
42. The Anti-Comintern Pact was concluded between Germany and Japan on November 25, 1936; for text, see Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. ii p. 153, and for the text of the secret additional protocol, see Documents on German Foreign Policy, 1918–1945, Series D, vol. i, p. 734, footnote 2a. Italy adhered to the Anti-Comintern Pact by a protocol signed at Rome on November 6, 1937; for text, see ibid., p. 26. The adherence of Spain took place on March 27, 1939, by a protocol signed at Burgos; for text, see ibid., vol. iii, p. 881.