611.61/10–1551: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Cumming) to the Secretary of State
priority
641. Re mytel 634, Oct 15. I have not informed Amer correspondents here of my visit to Vishinsky. I will however do so tomorrow unless otherwise instructed as they will learn of it through other channels. Statement wld be confined to mere fact of call without any reference to subject. This wld jibe with Amb Kirk’s off-the-record statement to them that during his farewell call on Vishinsky he raised one matter that he cld not discuss in detail.
Brit and Fr colleagues know of visit, but bearing in mind Dept’s initial instructions to Amb Kirk, I have told them only that visit was to receive Sov oral reply to Kirk’s approach on Oct 5, general nature of which he had given them details having been given directly to Mr. Morrison and M. Schuman.
My recommendation is that unless Dept has other considerations in view or Sovs publish distorted version we make no reference publicly at this time to Kirk-Vishinsky interchange. This in some form has reached Stalin and silence our part may lure these people overreach themselves propagandawise. Pls inform Amb Kirk.
Dept pass London and Paris if desired.
- Due to the time difference between Moscow and Washington, this message was received at 4:52 p. m.↩