Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume V

860F.00/5–1649: Telegram

The Ambassador in Czechoslovakia (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State

secret

Praha, May 16, 1949—midnight.

732. Ref Deptel 549, May 11.¹ Praha seems to be currently in grip of one of its intensifications of rumor circulation. As was case during last such period, reported Embtel 204, February 14,² there are current developments which might be entirely responsible for stimulation of rumor mills: (1) difficult economic situation which is obviously not being ameliorated by Soviet aid to extent publicity at end Moscow conversations December³ would lead one to expect; (2) imminence ninth party congress; (3) uncertainty re Soviet policy as result lifting Berlin blockade;⁴ and (4) recent defection two trusted officials, Skala and Korbel.⁵

As indicated Deptel 259, February 25 reports of censoring of issues of Pravda and/or Isvestia have been heard here for sometime but apparently have no basis in fact.⁶ More explicit rumor on USSR–Czech economic relations is that when Stalin met with Czech delegation in December, he indicated that Soviet “peace” efforts are of paramount importance for which Soviet must conserve her resources but that in case of necessity Soviet Government would consider action which would be harmful to present interests her allies and would relax bond between them. Other current rumors and reports include following: (1) Communist Party is moving its archives to Ostrava and Kosice; (2) Zapotocky is increasingly unpopular in party; (3) he and Erban⁷ are to be separated from trade unions (Embassy’s A–363, May 12⁸); (4) Social Democratic Party is to be reconstituted with stooge leaders (Fierlinger⁹ et al) who betrayed party at time of coup; (5) manufacture of placards calling for nationalization of retail trade and collectivization of agriculture has been stopped; (6) Zorin¹⁰ is here to settle disputes arising in connection with party congress; and (7) CFM meeting will agree on free elections in Czechoslovakia.¹¹

As elaborated in Embtel 204, February 14 Embassy attaches some significance to this intensified rumor circulation but does not feel it can be regarded as solid evidence that intra-party dissension of type described Department’s reftel exists.

Although party members and even lower level party units occasionally get out of line, they are promptly disciplined and Embassy has definite feeling that present Czechoslovakia Communist Party leadership is still orthodox, well disciplined group which would not long tolerate “opposing factions jockeying for support”. Such information as we have indicates that disputes are at top party levels and on personal rather than organizational plane. At this stage these disputes appear to be less between pro and anti Muscovites than between good Communists who do not reject Moscow’s policy leadership although they may differ on tactics to be adopted in specific situations.

In these circumstances we see no immediate opportunity to exploit situation. We therefore feel that best course for moment is to maintain present firmness US policy toward Czechoslovakia unchanged and attempt no maneuvers or statements here which could and probably would be distorted and given exaggerated importance as indications either of weakening or of increased intransigence.

Embassy will of course continue follow situation and keep Department informed.

Sent Department 732, repeated Moscow 14.

Jacobs

1. Supra, Telegram 750, May 21, from Praha, not printed, reported that the current rumor wave had developed into an atmosphere of fear and tension exceeding anything since the death and funeral of former President Eduard Benes in October 1948.
2. Not printed; it reported that Praha was experiencing an unusually intensive circulation of rumors regarding conflicts within the leadership of the Czechoslovak Communist Party (860F.00/2–1249).
3. The reference here is presumably to the conversations eventuating in the Czechoslovak-Soviet trade agreement for 1949 signed in Moscow on December 12, 1948.
4. For documentation on the ending of the Berlin blockade, see vol. iii, pp. 643 ff.
5. Regarding the defection of Hugo Skala, see Current Economic Developments, No. 200, May 2, p. 398. Pavel Korbel, Chief of the Legal Division, Office of the Czechoslovak Prime Minister and Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat (1945–1949), fled to exile in April 1949.
6. Not printed.
7. Evžen Erban, Czechoslovak Minister of Labor, Secretary General of the Czechoslovak Trade Union Council and member of the Central Committee of the Czechoslovak Communist Party.
8. Not printed.
9. Zdeněk Fierlinger, Czechoslovak Deputy Prime Minister and member of the Politburo of the Czechoslovak Communist Party.
10. Valerian Aleksandrovich Zorin, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.
11. For documentation on the Sixth Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, held at Paris, May 23–June 20, see vol. iii, pp. 856 ff. This session was devoted exclusively to German and Austrian issues. Czechoslovakia was not discussed.