861.9111/369: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 8—3:15 p.m.]
1057. 1. The tone of the Soviet press and radio during the last month make it appear that the Soviet Government has decided to present war developments in such a light as to influence the Soviet population to have a more friendly feeling towards the United States and Great Britain, in particular toward the United States. Stalin’s speech of November 6 in which he emphasized the importance of the “fighting alliance” between the Soviet Union, the United States and Great Britain and the possibility of the maintenance of close cooperation between members of this alliance; Stalin’s letter to Cassidy of November 14 expressing approval of the new front in Africa; as well as the publication in the Soviet press of news reports emanating from abroad stressing the successes of the Americans and British in Africa and emphasizing the heroism of the American Naval and Marine Forces in the Pacific, have apparently encouraged Soviet journalists and radio commentators to adopt a more friendly attitude with regard to Great Britain and the United States.
2. Although references to the establishment of a second front continue to appear from time to time such references can no longer be construed as being of a critical nature. In general the line is being taken that such a front will eventually be established and that the opening of the new front in Africa is a step preparatory to the establishment of the front in Western Europe.
[3.] Since the publication of Stalin’s letter to the representative of the Associated Press referred to above, Soviet Writers have begun to refer to the United States and Great Britain as “our allies”.
4. The Soviet-English language newspaper the Moscow News which was formerly published weekly but which is now appearing about 10 [Page 482] times a month, has become particularly friendly towards the United States and Great Britain. Although this newspaper is intended primarily for circulation in English speaking countries and has a limited distribution in the Soviet Union nevertheless its increasingly friendly tone must necessarily reflect certain trends in Soviet Governmental policy.
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- The omitted section of this telegram briefly summarized several articles and editorials which appeared in the Moscow News during November 1942.↩