840.4016/8–245: Telegram
The Ambassador in Czechoslovakia (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 3—9 p.m.]
144.
. . . . . . .
In so far as concerns the presence of American and Russian armed forces in Czechoslovakia, Beneš said while Russians were withdrawing in accordance with the assurance given him and that while in some places the withdrawal was behind schedule it was progressing steadily, the delays apparently having been occasioned solely by transport difficulties.
He said he hoped that in near future Russians will have withdrawn completely with the exception of the agreed number of troops to be left in frontier zone. He intimates that a reduction in the American forces was desirable so as to encourage the Russians to continue their withdrawal but made it clear that he did not desire a complete evacuation by the American forces until the Russian evacuation is substantially completed. He made a passing reference to the “good treatment” the Germans are receiving from Americans in Sudetenland which he remarked was difficult for the local Czech population to understand having regard to the treatment to which they had been subjected by the Germans.
On the subject of nationalization Beneš intimated that he was proceeding cautiously but that his opposition to anything more than [Page 482] restricted state socialism continues. He seemed to feel that the moderates are steadily gaining ground and that the Communists and what he described as “a small group of hotheads” are steadily losing ground.
On subject of finances Beneš expressed a desire for a sound currency soon as this can be effected but expressed doubt that much could be accomplished along this line until a more normal situation prevails.
- For the remainder of this telegram, see vol. ii, p. 1266.↩