Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, Europe, Volume III

740.0011 European War 1939/22331: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, June 19, 1942—10 p.m.
[Received June 20—8:33 a.m.]

198. 1. I called on Molotov this afternoon. He commented briefly yet enthusiastically on his trip to Washington and stressed his pleasure at having had the opportunity to confer with the President, with you, and other American statesmen. He made it a point to emphasize his hope that similar visits of Soviet and American representatives to the United States and to the Soviet Union might continually and increasingly take place during the war and commented on the mutual benefits that would accrue to both countries as a result of such visits, both during and after the war.

I informed the Foreign Minister that the main purpose of my trip to Moscow at this time was to deliver to Stalin an urgent message from the President.⁷² I added that since the message dealt with military questions and if it were agreeable and not embarrassing to Stalin I would like my Military Attaché to accompany me at the interview. Molotov stated that he would take the matter up immediately with Stalin and communicate with me.⁷³

2. I expect to see Molotov again next week and am planning to discuss with him the questions relative to the evacuation of Polish women and children and to the forwarding of military supplies to China through the Soviet Union.⁷⁴ If there are any other matters which the Department desire me to take up I would appreciate appropriate instructions.

3. Since the President’s message referred to above was received in Navy code the Department’s instructions are also requested as to what channel of communications I should use in transmitting any answer thereto.

Standley

72. See infra.
73. Because of delay in seeing Stalin, who was ill with grippe, Ambassador Standley advised in his telegram No. 214, June 26, 1942, that he had discussed two messages of the President (see also note No. L–3, June 24, p. 599) with Molotov because of their “urgent character”, and had sent both messages to Stalin through Molotov, so that the former would be better able to discuss them when he could be seen.
74. For correspondence on efforts to establish a supply route to China by way of Iran, the Soviet Union, and Sinkiang, see Foreign Relations, 1942, China, pp. 591 ff.