761.62/538: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union ( Steinhardt ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 16—4:15 p.m.]
447. My telegram No. 431, August 6, 3 p.m. The German Ambassador saw Molotov last night1 for an hour and a half and under instructions from his Government2 made to Molotov the following statement in respect of German policy towards the Soviet Union which, it is understood, emanated from Hitler himself: After reiterating that the German Government had entertained no aggressive intentions whatsoever against the Soviet Union and that there was no conflict of interests between the two countries from “the Baltic to the Black Sea,” the statement continued that the German Government was prepared to discuss in advance with the Soviet Government “any territorial questions in Eastern Europe;” that the German Government felt that serious conversations between the two Governments should begin soon, since events might otherwise develop which might adversely and unnecessarily affect Soviet-German relations. The statement concluded that the German Government was prepared to send a high ranking official to discuss these questions in Moscow. The Ambassador, I understand, left no written memorandum of this statement but his remarks were taken down verbatim by a stenographer. The Ambassador added that Hitler had requested that the contents of this statement be brought to the attention of Stalin himself. Molotov in reply, after promising to bring the contents of the statement immediately to Stalin’s attention, added that for the first time the Soviet Government was convinced of the seriousness of Germany’s desire to improve its relations with the Soviet Union, and he informed the Ambassador that the Soviet Government would “welcome” the continuation of the political conversations, but only if there was reasonable assurance that they would lead to definite and concrete [Page 335] results. As possible results Molotov mentioned: (1) the conclusion of a non-aggression pact between the Soviet Union and Germany; (2) the cessation of any direct or indirect encouragement on the part of Germany to Japanese aggression in the Far East, and, (3) regulations of mutual interests in the Baltic. Molotov felt that these three subjects should be discussed in preliminary conversations before the question of sending a German emissary to Moscow should be definitely decided. The results of the Ambassador’s interview with Molotov were telegraphed to Berlin last night and a complete account is going forward by special courier from the German Embassy on Thursday.3 Although I have no means of checking the accuracy of this information, it may be stated that previous information on the subject of Soviet-German relations obtained from the same source have in the past proved to be accurate. In view of the nature of the above information I venture to request the Department to use every means to protect the source and Moscow origin thereof. Although it is possibly too soon to speak of a definite German-Soviet rapprochement at the present time, as will be observed from the Embassy’s telegram under reference and previous on the subject of German-Soviet relations, a steady progress can be noted in the conversations which the German Ambassador here has had with Molotov during the past two and a half months. Furthermore I have every reason to believe that the Soviet Government has not in connection with the present negotiations informed the French and British Governments of these developments in its relations with Germany.