761.62/792: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 13—11:40 a.m.]
1524. I am informed in strict confidence by a member of the British Embassy that the British Ambassador sought and obtained an interview with Vyshinski on November 11 in order to discuss with him the effects on Soviet-British relations of Molotov’s visit to Berlin.42 According to my informant the Ambassador made no attempt to conceal from Vyshinski his displeasure at the visit and inquired of Vyshinski whether it was to be regarded as the reply of the Soviet Government to the various proposals both political and economic which had been made by the Ambassador during recent weeks. The Ambassador challenged what he termed “the peculiar Soviet interpretation of the word neutrality” pointing out in this connection that it was hardly a neutral act for the Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs to have been accessible to the Axis Ambassadors during the past month while at the same time refusing to receive the British Ambassador. The Ambassador told Vyshinski that in the face of the visit of Molotov to Berlin it was difficult for him to escape the conclusion that the Soviet Government was not interested in improving Soviet-British relations. According to my informant Cripps stated in conclusion that the British offer to consult the Soviet Government in respect of any peace settlement following the war could not be held open indefinitely and warned Vyshinski that should no reply be received the British Government would consider its offer withdrawn, adding that Britain was certain of victory in the war and following victory would remember which nations had been friendly or hostile during the progress of the war and would act accordingly. My informant said that Vyshinski had appeared to be somewhat disturbed at the Ambassador’s remarks and in reply had referred to the number of unsettled problems existing between Great Britain and the Soviet Union, particularly the question of Baltic gold and ships.
- Molotov visited Berlin November 12–14, 1940.↩