865.01/2232: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 22—2:20 p.m.]
952. I find that Molotov, in his recent conversation with me, expanded somewhat the argument contained in the memorandum answering the British objections to the recent Soviet action in Italy referred to in my 923, March 19, 10 p.m.6
He stated that the Soviet Government had learned of British and American policy in respect to the maintenance of the Badoglio government until the capture of Rome and to the position of the King of Italy only through public statements which had appeared in the press. He referred specifically to Churchill’s declaration in the House7 in which Churchill announced the “Allied” position, thereby including the Soviet Government. He maintained that these questions had not been discussed with his Government in the Advisory Council or in Moscow, London, or Washington, and that they had been arrived at and announced without consultation with the Soviet Government. I said that it was my understanding that these matters had been the subject of constant discussion by the members of the Advisory Council. He would not admit this, contending that the minutes of the Council recorded no such discussions.
Sent to the Department; repeated to London as 55 and to Algiers for Reinhardt.