661.6231/211: Telegram

The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State

583. My 535, June 21, 7 p.m.,90 and 447, June 6, 11 a.m. Although as stated in my telegram No. 535 of June 21 the Soviet Chargé in Berlin stated that the trade talks were being carried on in Moscow by the German Embassy there an authoritative German source yesterday informed a member of this Embassy that conversations on Soviet-German commercial matters have been in progress in Berlin for several days between a German group headed by Schnurre and the Economic Section of the Russian Embassy here which it is understood is independent of the Embassy proper. This informant stated that no decision was taken to send Schnurre to Moscow to carry on negotiations because of a conflict of views within the Reich’s Government which has not yet been solved and which is under one group of officials who oppose any improvement of relations with Russia and by others who favor a rapprochement between the two countries both economic and political. The fact of holding the trade discussions here instead of sending a delegation to Moscow represents, it was added, a temporary compromise of the points of view. The informant was skeptical however of any real results issuing from the trade talks now in progress owing, he believed, to the inability and apparent unwillingness of Soviet Russia to furnish raw materials useful to Germany.

In view of the impossibility of communicating in this cipher with the Embassy in Moscow I should appreciate obtaining for my information and guidance such material as the Department may receive from Moscow on this subject.

Kirk
  1. Not printed.