711.61/5–2048: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Durbrow) to the Secretary of State
955. ReEmbtel 951, May 20. We feel that hurried and petulant tone today’s Tass communiqué, which reads as though possibly written by Stalin himself, is tribute to Department’s firm stand and quick adept handling of Stalin letter. Silence of Soviet press, as well as communiqué itself, as to content Secretary’s statements and Department’s pointed analysis issues to which latter refers is unusual and seems likely even raise some question in minds more intelligent Soviet citizens. Evidence Department’s preparedness fight back may well have [Page 874] brought to end high level Soviet Government propaganda campaign based on Ambassador–Molotov conversations,1 though lesser propagandists here and abroad will, of course, continue indefinitely embroider themes developed therein.
Department pass Paris 147 for Ambassador Smith.
- The Chargé elaborated more fully on these views in his telegram 966 from Moscow on May 21, not printed: “Twisted interpretation of Smith démarche as ‘proposal,’ Molotov reply as ‘acceptance’ and subsequent US reaction as ‘repudiation’ blared forth incessantly from editorialists, commentators and representatives of Soviet ‘public opinion.’ … Stalin letter obviously designed fortify Wallace supporters US, lull doubters of Soviet peaceful intentions, bolster Soviet citizens confidence in own government and put onus for next peace move on US. Fact that Marshall press conference and Department analysis Soviet–US issues effectively answered Stalin obvious from fact no word of either yet appeared Soviet press and from petulant Tass communiqué May 20 (possibly drafted by Stalin himself) alleging Soviet ‘public’ believes US has changed policy from ‘Roosevelt’ to ‘aggressive’.” (861.00/5–2148) The May 19 statement by the Department was published with a slight omission by May 23.↩