761.62/526: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Grummon) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 25—3:38 p.m.]
265. My number 258, May 22, 11 a.m. It has been ascertained from the same source indicated in my telegram under reference that in reply to the German Ambassador’s report of his conversation with Molotov he was instructed by Berlin to take no further steps in the matter of an approach to the Soviet Government.81 Although I am informed no reasons were given for this instruction the opinion was offered that it was probably motivated by a desire to avoid alarming Japan and possibly indicates that the conversations with that country are progressing favorably.
- For this German decision, see Nazi-Soviet Relations, 1939–1941, pp. 7, 9, and 10.↩