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

Moscow Embassy Files: Lot F–96

Memorandum by the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley)

Moscow, October 5, 1942.

A Visit on Mr. Molotov at 6 P.M. on October 5, 1942

I called on Mr. Molotov at the Kremlin this afternoon. Immediately after presenting Mr. Henderson, who accompanied me, I inquired of Mr. Molotov if he had any word concerning the landing in Siberia of any of the planes which we were sending to the Soviet Union from Alaska. He was unable to tell me definitely at the moment. After instituting inquiries he informed me later during our conversation that on the 3rd of September twelve Boston bombers had landed at Nome and that there was no further word with regard to them.⁸⁶

I then referred to my visit to Mr. Vyshinski on Friday, October 2, at which time I had told him of my orders to visit the United States and he had requested that he inform Mr. Molotov that I was coming to Moscow. I added that I had received through Mr. Vyshinski Mr. Molotov’s very cooperative message which I appreciated very much. I stated that President Roosevelt was much concerned over the adequacy and effectiveness of American aid to Russia and over Mr. Stalin’s expressed dissatisfaction with regard to such aid and that the President had taken advantage of Mr. Henderson’s presence here to bring me home for consultation, leaving Mr. Henderson temporarily in charge. Mr. Molotov would recall that on my first visit to him I had stated that in war diplomacy gives way to the military and that it was my purpose to do everything in my power to remove obstacles to the flow of munitions to Russia. I had persistently pursued that policy but evidently a monkey wrench had been dropped into the machine. Things were not working out as smoothly as they should and I was returning to Washington to see if there was something I could do to remove all obstacles to the flow of material and supplies. Because of my close association for many years with military matters it was felt desirable that I personally report to the President and bring him up-to-date on certain phases of the situation generally. While at home I would also do my utmost to further the unity of, and close cooperation between, our two nations in bur war effort. I stated that with this objective I was taking with me Captain Duncan, Naval Attaché, and Colonel Michela, Military Attaché, who shared my views and desires and I felt it would be very helpful to them to be brought into touch with the current conditions at home. In this connection I would venture to offer for his consideration the possibility of the Soviet Government sending a Naval Officer and Military officer—possibly the officers who were the Soviet Liaison with my Attachés—back to Washington with us. I thought it might be helpful if these officers while in the United States would visit production plants and factories and would thus have an opportunity to see for themselves the extent of our war effort and to obtain a better understanding of our problems. Mr. Molotov stated he would take this matter up with the appropriate Military and Naval officials. Since, however, the Soviet Union had Military and Naval Attachés in Washington he doubted the necessity of sending these officers to the United States just now. I replied that he had made a trip to the United States even though there was a Soviet Ambassador in Washington and that I was sure that this trip had been helpful to him. I thought that perhaps similarly a trip to the United States would be helpful to the Soviet Military and Naval Liaison Officers. Mr. Molotov replied with a smile that he had not taken any Military or Naval Attachés with him.

I stated that I would like to see Mr. Stalin before I left and that I hoped that he would say to Mr. Stalin that I would be glad to take back to President Roosevelt any personal messages which Mr. Stalin might desire to send. I was planning to leave for the United States as soon as I conveniently could after seeing Mr. Stalin and I hoped to get away by Thursday if Mr. Stalin, who I realized must be very busy, could see me before that day.

I also stated that I would endeavor to expedite my work in Washington and hoped to return at an early date. It was my understanding that a Stratosphere service was being established between London and Moscow and I was considering the advisability of returning by that route. Mr. Molotov and I then discussed for a few minutes his experiences when he traveled by that route.

I informed Mr. Molotov that I intended to go to Tehran in General Bradley’s plane and would appreciate his aid in facilitating the departure of the plane. He stated that there would be no objections or obstacles.

I told Mr. Molotov that I was planning to see the press tomorrow and that I would tell them during my talk with them of my planned trip to Washington.⁸⁷ I said that I would appreciate it if no announcement of my trip would be given out before that time. He replied that there would be no statement given.

I said that I wished to thank Mr. Molotov for his cooperation and for the many courtesies which he had extended to me and expressed the hope that during my absence Mr. Henderson would enjoy the same privileges. Mr. Molotov replied that he would extend to Mr. Henderson the same and would be glad to receive him at any time. I also stated that I would be happy to take any messages back, undertake any errands, or tend to any other matters Mr. Molotov might wish me to do for him while in Washington.

Mr. Molotov stated that it was difficult for him to give judgment as to the purpose of my visit home but that he would be ready to answer any questions in regard to it. He also stated that he would make endeavor to arrange for an interview with Stalin and let me know the results.⁸⁸

I then inquired if there was any news in regards to the Stalingrad front. It was my understanding that conditions had improved there. He stated that unfortunately the contrary was the case. The situation was deteriorating although hard fighting was still going on.

I then asked Mr. Molotov if he could give me any information in regard to the food situation, paving in mind information given me by the British Ambassador to the effect that Mr. Molotov had mentioned to him a conversation between Mr. Stalin and Mr. Willkie on this subject. Mr. Molotov replied that Mr. Willkie and Mr. Stalin had discussed this question and that he would tell me what was said.

[The remainder of this memorandum, dealing with the conversation of Mr. Stalin and Mr. Willkie on the food situation in the Soviet Union, was sent in the Ambassador’s telegram No. 399, October 6, printed on page 729.]

86. See footnote 28, p. 725.
87. Ambassador Standley gave a general statement concerning his return to Washington to the American and British correspondents in Moscow on October 6, 1942.
88. The Ambassador reported briefly to the Department that he had taken General Bradley to see Stalin on October 6, 1942, and that Stalin had appeared most agreeable, promising to send a message for delivery to President Roosevelt the next day. Some details of this meeting are in the Ambassador’s book, Admiral Ambassador to Russia, pp. 300–302.