740.00119 MPC/3: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Hamilton) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:03 p.m.]
1458. My 1455, September 24, 10 p.m.,18 last paragraph. As you know, the Soviet Government has stated several times that it attaches special importance to the establishment of the Mediterranean Commission. [Page 787] It designated Vyshinski as its principal representative. Vyshinski seems to be regarded as the senior Vice Commissar for Foreign Affairs. He has been in charge of Soviet relations with the United States and Great Britain. Since Stalin assumed the title of Marshal19 there has been a tendency for greater responsibilities as Acting Chief of State to devolve upon Molotov and for Molotov to delegate the handling of foreign affairs matters to Vyshinski. I am sure that the Soviet Government would be pleased by the appointment by the American Government as its chief representative on the newly created Mediterranean Commission of a person of outstanding rank and position. This would, I believe, be a manifestation to the Soviet Government of our Government’s hearty implementation of the Soviet Government’s suggestion that such a commission be established.