761.6211/194
Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Henderson)
Attached is copy of Molotov’s speech which contains the first full translation of Molotov’s speech which we have seen.29 Among the interesting features of this speech are the following:
(1) At no place in the speech is the cause of the world revolution or the world proletariat mentioned. In fact, he says, “Is it really difficult to understand that the U. S. S. R. is pursuing and will continue to pursue its own independent policy based on the interests of the people of the U. S. S. R. and only their interests?” Although in another connection he states that the “interests of the U. S. S. R. coincides with the fundamental interests of peoples of other countries,” he mentions this circumstance in a most incidental manner. One is beginning to wonder if Stalin is really fulfilling Trotsky’s30 prophecies in deserting the world revolutionary movement.
(2) There is no direct or indirect statement to the effect that the Soviet Union will assume an attitude of neutrality during the European conflict. The trend of the argument is that the cause of peace is served because the possibility of a conflict between the Soviet Union and Germany is eliminated. The only passage which might be considered as an indication of the Soviet intention not to become active in Europe is a reference to the existence of “Soviet non-aggression pacts with Poland and certain other countries whose semi-Fascist system is known to all.”
(3) When pointing out that the Treaty with Germany is only a non-aggression pact, he adds, “Nevertheless, conditions being what they are, it is difficult to overestimate the international importance of the Soviet-German Pact. That is why we favored the visit of von Ribbentrop, the German Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Moscow.”
Is there possibly a veiled intimation here that in view of the international situation, the Pact has greater significance than an ordinary non-aggression pact?
(4) It is to be noted that Great Britain and France rather than Germany are now considered as the instigators of a general European war. He states, “only the instigators of a general European war can be displeased by this state of affairs, those who under the mask of pacifism would like to ignite a general conflagration in Europe.”
[Page 350](5) Molotov’s failure in referring to Stalin’s speech of last March to refer to Stalin’s point that the Soviet Government intended to assist the victims of the aggressor may or may not have significance.
It is felt that Stalin included this point in order to reassure China of continued assistance. Does Molotov’s omission indicate Soviet readiness to change its policy with respect to China? It will be noticed that the speech opens with the aggravation of the state situation in the Far East as a result of Japan’s hostile acts against the Soviet Union.