740.0011 European War 1939/11763: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 8—1:36 p.m.]
2261. I have received rather impressive testimony that within a fortnight Germany will invade Russia. Hitler is described as determined to crush Soviet Russia and its army, although certain of his advisors are of the opinion that such action would be a profound military and economic error at this time. While the testimony is impressive, it is to be remembered that Hitler alone makes the great decisions and that he does not announce them until the exact moment of their execution. It is quite possible that the tremendous preparations on the Russian border are a form of final pressure on Russia or a mask for action in some other area.
From less impressive sources the assertion is heard that Russia has already reached or is on the point of reaching an agreement for entire economic and military cooperation with Germany, including use of Russian forces against the British in Asia. One interesting contact declares that German troops will move this week through the Ukraine with Russian assistance and permission.81
- In response to the Department’s telegram No. 776, June 9, 1941, requesting opinions on the signs of German pressure upon the Soviet Union and of German demands for economic and political concessions, Ambassador Steinhardt sent a long analysis of the prospect of the imminence of war between Germany and the Soviet Union in telegram No. 1127, June 12, 1941. These telegrams are printed on pp. 753 and 754, respectively.↩