861.404/499: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:17 p.m.]
540. From Davies. “Ambassador Standley showed me your cable54 with reference to Congressman Bloom’s request. After talking matter over, Ambassador Standley suggested that I should broach matter to Stalin and Molotov if occasion permitted; and place it on personal and not official ground. Last night at Kremlin I found that occasion. I suggested that unless there were some features which the Polish controversy had induced and which made it impossible or impolitic I believed it would be to their interest to aid this religious group of Jewish people for the effect it would have in confirming impression of free public opinion of the world that Soviets were always desirous of aiding persecuted racial minorities. Handled matter carefully as per your instruction. It was received with apparently friendly interest. Stalin asked Molotov to look into facts. I made point to stress to both that this was entirely out of my bailiwick and an exclusively diplomatic matter for Ambassador Standley and that I was only bringing it up at his request; but that now I would advise Ambassador Standley of our discussion and that he would doubtless take up the matter with Molotov if they felt they could do anything consistent with their position and without in any manner bringing us into their controversy with the Poles.”55