760C.61/2084: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 13—6:21 p.m.]
1070. My 1049, August 11, 11 a.m.16 Stalin received the British Ambassador and myself at 8 o’clock last evening at the Kremlin. After the preliminary amenities Clark Kerr read a prepared statement which in general embodied the views set forth in the first two [Page 453] paragraphs of the aide-mémoire contained in section 2 of the Department’s 584, July 19, 6 p.m.17
I stated that I was in full accord with the views expressed by the British Ambassador. Clark [Kerr] then caused to be read a translation of a memorandum18 which he stated set forth certain views of his Government with respect to the Polish-Soviet dispute. This memorandum, the contents of which I assume have been made known to the Department, dealt with (1) measures taken in England to control foreign newspapers published in the United Kingdom and (2) proposals for the evacuation of certain categories of Poles from the Soviet Union, and after signifying the accord of my Government with the views expressed by the British Ambassador I stated that my Government felt there were other considerations involved which must be solved before any just or lasting resumption of Polish-Soviet relations could be brought about. These considerations, I stated, were set forth in an aide-mémoire which I had had prepared. I requested the interpreter to read a translation of the sections there upon citizenship and Polish welfare and relief in the Soviet Union. (The aide-mémoire in question contained the suggestions set forth in the Department’s 427 of June 1219 relative to (1) the basis for the approach, (2) relief and welfare, (3) citizenship, and (4) evacuation.) Since the British Ambassador’s memorandum had covered the question of evacuation along lines almost identical to those proposed by the Department I did not touch orally upon this matter. After the sections notes [noted] had been read Clark Kerr stated that his Government subscribed in full to the views contained in my aide-mémoire.
Stalin thereupon requested that the British and the American documents be made available for study by the Soviet authorities. The documents were left with him. The British Ambassador asked whether there would be further opportunity to discuss the question with him. Stalin replied that he was unable to give a definite answer since his presence might again be required at the front. However, he stated that in his absence Molotov would be empowered to discuss the question.
The British Ambassador and I were prepared to come to grips in an oral discussion with Stalin on the question. Stalin and Molotov, however, made no comment whatsoever on the proposals submitted by us. The atmosphere during the conversation was friendly.