761.62/517: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Grummon) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 22—9:15 a.m.]
258. My No. 251, May 17, 11 a.m. The German Ambassador saw Molotov on Saturday for 1 hour and immediately afterwards had a short conversation with Potemkin. The following version of the Ambassador’s conversation with Molotov has been obtained from the source indicated in my telegram under reference.79
The Ambassador, after commenting on the more favorable atmosphere in regard to the Soviet Union which he had found in Berlin, inquired of Molotov as to the possibility of continuing the economic negotiations which had been in abeyance for some months (see my telegram 126, March 20, 4 p.m.). In reply Molotov expressed doubt as to the feasibility of a development of economic relations between the two countries in the absence of a “political basis” and requested the Ambassador’s views on this subject. The Ambassador, it was stated, replied that since as an Ambassador he did not determine policy he could not offer any authoritative opinion on this matter but that perhaps Molotov as Prime Minister of the Soviet Government would be in a position to explain exactly what the Soviet Government envisaged by a “political basis”. Molotov, however, evaded the question by a vague reference to the necessity of giving the matter further consideration.
In his conversation with Potemkin which consisted largely of an exchange of courtesies, the Ambassador again referred to his belief in the possibility of an improvement in Soviet-German relations at the present time.
In general the impression was received, and I understand reported to Berlin, that Molotov was purposely reserved in regard to the general question of an improvement in Soviet-German relations and that only a definite proposal from the German Government would be seriously considered here. Consequently, it was believed that any further [Page 322] developments along this line would depend upon whether the German Government was prepared at the present time to make a clear and definite approach to the Soviet Government, and the personal opinion was offered that in the light of Ribbentrop’s concern over the possible effect on Japan, such a step was doubtful at least pending the outcome of German-Japanese conversations which it was stated are now being carried on.80
- For the report by the German Ambassador of his conversations with Molotov and Potemkin, see his memorandum of May 20, 1939, Nazi-Soviet Relations, 1939–1941, p. 5.↩
- For correspondence regarding German-Japanese relations, see vol. iii, pp. 1 ff.↩