Office of the Historian

861.9111/7–1544: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State

[Extracts]
Moscow, July 15, 1944—6 p.m.
[Received July 17—2:50 a.m.]

2603. For the Secretary and the Under Secretary. There follows the sixth interpretive report on developments in Soviet Policy as reflected in the press for the period May 26–July 8 for distribution as suggested in the Embassy’s No. 2215, December 14, 2 p.m.:5

Report begins: No. 6.

News of the rapid succession of dramatic events in the early days of June—the inauguration of our shuttle bombing operations using Soviet bases, the full starting of the Red Army offensive, the commitments taken at Teheran were fulfilled. The ring of iron was closing relentlessly around Nazi Germany. The Italian campaign has ceased to be a minor diversion and has become part of a grand strategic plan of encirclement. Final victory was in sight.

A comprehensive survey of Allied material aid to the Soviet Union on June 17, the anniversary of the Soviet-American mutual aid agreement gave generous recognition and gratitude for Allied aid in supplies and Allied bombings. Stories of Soviet-American camaraderie at shuttle bombing bases were featured.

On the other hand references have frequently been made to the expectation that more rapid progress in France will result when the “main forces” of the Allies come into action. Although criticisms of Allied military activities have been entirely lacking, there are continued occasional references to last minute efforts by “appeasement” groups in Britain and the U.S. to split the coalition and work for a compromise peace. There was also implied criticism of our lenient policy toward Franco’s6 regime in Spain.7

2.
Comment on the anniversaries of the Anglo-Soviet alliance and the Soviet-American mutual aid agreement emphasized the importance of continuing into the postwar period the wartime cooperation of the three great powers. The value of cooperation in international air transport was discussed without disclosing the Soviet position except for criticism of the concept of “freedom of the air.” News reports of the opening of the International Monetary Conference8 were published without comment.
3.
American affairs received an unusual amount of attention. The visits of Vice President Wallace9 and Eric Johnston10 and their speeches were fully reported. The presentation of the scrolls of honor from the President to Stalin for delivery to Leningrad and Stalingrad was prominently reported.11 Continued interest in the presidential election campaign was displayed, emphasizing particularly public support in the U.S. for the President’s foreign and war policies. Criticism of Dewey was toned down as his nomination began to appear a certainty, but suspicion of the isolationist elements in the Republican Party was not allayed by the foreign policy plank in the platform, which was regarded primarily as a vote-catching device.

. . . . . . .

14.
The surge of Russian nationalism has become even stronger in the cultural field. Achievements in Russian culture in all phases have been glorified and foreign contributions, particularly those of Germany, minimized.
15.
An important development in religion was the announcement of the formation of a Council for Affairs of Religious Cults as a liaison between the Government and all religious denominations except the Orthodox Church.12
Harriman
  1. Not printed; but see telegram 2214 of December 14, 1943, from Moscow, Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. iii, p. 608.↩
  2. Generalissimo Francisco Franco, Head of State in Spain.↩
  3. For correspondence concerning agreement between the United States and Spain on a number of outstanding issues, see pp. 297 ff.↩
  4. The United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference met at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, from July 1 to 22, 1944. Correspondence concerning this Conference is printed in vol. ii, pp. 106 ff.↩
  5. Henry A. Wallace. For some reports on his travels in Siberia and the Far East between May 20 and July 10, 1944, see pp. 961–972, passim. ↩
  6. Eric A. Johnston was president of the United States Chamber of Commerce. For reports on his visit to the Soviet Union between June 1 and July 7, 1944, to discuss future trade possibilities, see pp. 955–979, passim. ↩
  7. In regard to the presentation of these scrolls on June 26, see telegram 2308, June 27, from Moscow, p. 887.↩
  8. See telegram 2385 of July 1, from Moscow, p. 1215.↩