861.00/11–749: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
2791. Embassy pouching full translation Malenkov November 6 speech.1
Contents assumed amply reported by press and radio. Following are Embassy’s initial impressions.
Tone of speech more militant and triumphant than previous postwar November 6 addresses. Socialist “gains” at home and abroad advanced in bellicose language as warning to warmongers and “proof” socialism superior capitalism. “Peace” theme played up in continuation current propaganda line, while US more than ever singled out as chief enemy whose rulers seek salvation through domination Western Europe industry, colonial markets, and preparation new war—which if actually begun will mean end world capitalism, afflict American continent in contrast previous wars. Elation over general international situation expressed in statement “never in history has our fatherland been surrounded by such friendly neighboring countries,” including China.
Internalwise, speech strained economic elements past plausible limits but West’s information programs will be hard pressed and Embassy recommends super effort offset impressions transmitted by Malenkov’s statistics to prove incontrovertible superiority Soviet economic system over decaying capitalist structure: e.g., in USSR average monthly production level all industry more than 50 per cent above monthly output 1940. With 1950 goal 48 per cent above 1940 clear that five year plan to be fulfilled ahead of time. Industry occupied territories achieved pre-war production level September 1949. This year’s harvest surpassed 1940, 128 million more poods2 grain delivered state by collective and state farms than last year. Grain problem solved.
[Page 672]Theme current economic crisis US pressed particularly hard and emphasis laid on fact American economy had not suffered two destructive wars as had Soviet. US production fell 22 per cent October 1948–October 1949 compared only 13 per cent decline over first year 1929–33 crisis period.
Forty millions at present suffering tragedy unemployment capitalist world as whole.
Hints of Soviet world strategy: (1) decisive importance attached Soviet control of all Germany implied by saying “impossible ensure European and therefore international peace too unless German question correctly solved”. This suggests if Soviets gain Germany in addition to China, war with Soviet bloc will be out of question, hence world peace (i.e., Pax Sovietica) assured. (2) China is springboard, not resting point for Soviet drive in East, indicated by Lenin “linking India with China as decisive factors in world struggle between capitalism and communism, plus statement that China victory opens new page in history all oppressed peoples of Asia and Pacific, raising national liberation struggle to higher level. (3) Singling out US as aggressor among capitalist countries is obvious effort boast intra-capitalist “contradictions” which believed growing more acute. (4) Mention of “peaceful settlement with Japan” echoes Vyshinsky at CFM. (5) Allusion to World War III as end of all capitalism fits timetable implied in Stalin’s basic writings.
Please pass Army, Navy, Air.
Sent Department 2791;3 Department pass Paris 392.
- Despatch No. 653 from Moscow on November 10, not printed. For the complete text of the speech, see Current Digest of the Soviet Press, November 22, 1949, pp. 1–10. There are extensive extracts in Survey of International Affairs, 1949–1950, pp. 129–139.↩
- A pud (pood) was the equivalent of 36.11 pounds.↩
- A circular airgram was dispatched on November 9 at 10:50 a. m., to 36 posts abroad in Europe and Asia which contained a summary of the Embassy’s impressions of the speech by Malenkov as expressed in this telegram.↩