761.6211/99: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:40 p.m.]
468. As late as 7 o’clock last night the British Ambassador whom I saw at that hour was not only apparently in complete ignorance of the degree of agreement already reached between the German and Soviet Russian Governments but was also apparently oblivious to the gravity and portent of the impending Soviet-German agreement and the consequences to be anticipated therefrom. He informed me that Molotov had stated to him the day before yesterday, following the announcement of Ribbentrop’s visit, that the latter was coming to “negotiate”, that no reply could be given in regard to the continuance of the Anglo-French-Soviet conversations until the outcome of the talks with Ribbentrop could be determined. The Ambassador apparently believed Molotov’s assurances that a Soviet-German agreement would be limited to a non-aggression pact which would not be incompatible with an Anglo-French-Soviet alliance against aggression. I expressed incredulity [Page 344] at this point of view and informed the Ambassador in confidence that I had good reason to believe that agreement had been substantially reached between the German and Soviet Governments on far-reaching political matters prior to the decision to send Ribbentrop to Moscow and that Ribbentrop’s presence here was largely theatrical to impress world opinion, particularly British and French. The Ambassador thanked me for expressing my “opinion” to him so frankly and then said that the military missions had been instructed by London and Paris to remain in Moscow and await the development of Ribbentrop visit.
As the Department will observe from the foregoing and my conversation with the French Ambassador17 yesterday (see my 460, August 23, 3 p.m.18), the French and British Embassies here have apparently not only been in complete ignorance of the Soviet intentions vis-à-vis Germany but appear to have been entirely taken in by the reassurances conveyed to them by Molotov, and were still incredulous last night.