862.01/300: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:51 p.m.]
925. The announcement of the formation of a “Free Germany” Committee came as a surprise to observers here. The first reaction to it, however, is that it is chiefly a propaganda move and as such is likely to be of considerable importance. The political implications are not overlooked but it is believed that in this respect it may be considered as, a move in national foreign policy rather than in the field of world revolution. The inclusion of Pieck in the signers of the manifesto is thought to be unfortunate as throwing doubt on the matter and providing an opening for Axis propaganda.
I assume that we were not informed in advance that such a move was contemplated and it may thus be taken as an indication that the Soviet Union intends to pursue an independent policy and at least so, far as Eastern and Central Europe is concerned to play a leading role. [Page 554] In this connection it is probably not unrelated to the independence of British and American policy toward France and Italy.
Irrespective of the motives underlying this action it seems clear that its timing is an indication of Soviet confidence in the military situation.