740.00119 European War 1939/1620: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 29—12:50 p.m.]
1216. Personal for the Secretary. Your 749, August 26, 7 p.m., my 1201, August 27, 5 p.m. The British Ambassador has received a note from Molotov dated August 27 which reads in paraphrased translation as follows:
[“]The Soviet Government has acquainted itself with the Italian surrender terms which have been approved by the American and British Governments as transmitted by Ambassador Kerr and Ambassador Standley on August 26.
The Soviet Government approves the terms in question. It empowers General Eisenhower to sign the terms in the negotiations with Castellano on behalf of the Soviet Government.70
In the present instance it is the opinion of the Soviet Government that a special representative of the Soviet Union is not required when the Italian terms of surrender are signed by General Eisenhower.”
- For text of Italian Armistice signed September 3, 1943, but not announced until September 8, see Department of State, United States and Italy, 1936–1946, Documentary Record (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1946), p. 51, or Treaties and Other International Acts Series No. 1604, or 61 Stat. (pt. 3) 2740.↩