123 Smith, Walter Bedell: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Secretary of State
683. For Acting Secretary Lovett’s eyes only from Smith. I believe references in Time and Newsweek March 29, quoted many European papers, to my telegram 394, March 1 which refers to US rearmament “as only language Russians understand”1 has to large extent ended my usefulness here on such matters as protection, citizenship, exit visas, customs, etc, which really represent major part of work mission and in which standing of chief of mission may have some effect.
Russian characteristic is to show resentment by intransigeance and hostility and this reaction already indicated by abrupt and peremptory replies received during last few days on matters where, in previous discussion, Molotov and Vyshinski indicated comparatively conciliatory attitude.
Under circumstances and from local viewpoint I believe serious consideration should be given to withdrawing me from Moscow at earliest practicable opportunity consistent with other facts,2 one of which is importance of having chief of mission with rank of Ambassador for reasons given in my personal letter of March 9 to Secretary Marshall,3 and because, I really believe that the Kremlin will take [Page 830] an increasingly tough line during next few months. This may be important enough to require my carrying on long enough to reduce to short interval period between my departure and arrival my successor. However, I am sure Russian reaction indicated in second paragraph will continue and increase as long as I remain here, and there is always a short honeymoon for a new Ambassador during which something may be accomplished. Sure you and General Marshall will realize this recommendation completely objective.4
- The entire telegram is printed, ante, p. 766.↩
- Acting Secretary of State Robert A. Lovett replied to the Ambassador in telegram 408 on the next day and urged him to “remain on in accordance with present plans because we must have the benefit of your wise advice in this critical period. The Acting Secretary explained that the references in Time and Newsweek “were based on an off-the-record speech which Secretary Marshall made last month to Overseas Writers Club here and correspondents got mixed up as to what was on and off the record. We here very much doubt whether recent increased boorish attitude can be attributed to this episode as it is going on at every point of contact with Russians.” (123 Smith, Walter Bedell)↩
- Ambassador Smith had written in this letter to Secretary Marshall in consideration of prospective retirement his reasons why there should be someone with the rank of ambassador in the Soviet Union, and what some of an ambassador’s qualifications should be.↩
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In his answer to the request that he should stay on in Moscow, Ambassador Smith stated in his telegram 705 of April 16, not printed: “While sure I am right on change in local Soviet attitude and believe that in such matters estimate of man on spot is better than that of experts at a distance, have no strong feelings in the matter and gave you my opinion so you could weigh local situation against overall picture.” (123 Smith, Walter Bedell) In the end, after some further correspondence, he remained as ambassador in the Soviet Union.
On December 17, in a letter to Secretary Marshall, Ambassador Smith enclosed a letter for President Truman wherein he submitted his resignation as ambassador at the President’s convenience. Ambassador Smith left Moscow on the morning of December 25, 1948. President Truman accepted his resignation on March 25, 1949; see Department of State Bulletin, April 10, 1949, p. 467.
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