Microfilm telegram files, “Moscow FY 53”: Telegram
No. 559
The Chargé in the Soviet Union
(Beam) to the
Department of State1
priority
1275. In accordance Secretary’s instructions Department telegram 707,2 I attended Stalin funeral ceremonies as special US representative. In comparison other state funerals I have witnessed, namely General Pershing’s in 1948 and that of General Von Fritsch in Berlin in 1939, arrangements were casual but ceremony could not help but be impressive against background Red Square. Chief emphasis was on satellite participation, particularly that of Chinese.
Without any active discourtesy being shown, non-Communist delegations and missions were definitely less favored. Our presence was required at Hall of Columns 8:50 when we were left standing for more than hour at one side while last deserving Russian public servants filed past Stalin bier. At 10:00 the large satellite delegations were brought in and placed in front of us, followed by top Russian generals in front of them. Finally at 10:15 new Soviet Government leaders entered taking their place in forefront. After a few minutes further playing ceremonial music, lid was placed on Stalin’s coffin with bearers led by Malenkov and including Chou En-lai bore bright red chiffon pall and straining heavily took it from hall. After satellites we took our place in procession behind coffin on gun carriage at dead march, proceeding to Red Square within half block past our Embassy where our flag at half mast was in sight of everybody. We were flanked by two moving columns of soldiers and were courteously attended by Foreign Office and/or secret police officials in plain clothes in our ranks who showed us to places on abutments Lenin’s tomb. Latter quietly interposed themselves between us and leading Soviet and satellite groups each time they ascended and descended from top of mausoleum. Sole name of Lenin had been erased and two names Lenin and Stalin substituted in smaller letters over entrance.
After exactly one hour of speeches by Malenkov, Beria and Molotov3 coffin borne by same pallbearers into tomb shortly before noon [Page 1106] when salutes fired and factory whistles blown. Following return pallbearers who resumed their places on top of mausoleum striking break occurred with playing national anthem and introduction lively martial music for military march-past which finally ended with over-flight military airplanes. Relaxation followed when top group began chatting with each other and ceremony ended with final descent into tomb by leading Communist spectators followed by diplomatic corps.
To say the least, while all proprieties observed, Stalin last rites comparatively unaesthetic, considering magnificent facilities which could have been made available in Kremlin in keeping with his stature as great Soviet leader. (Under Communists Kremlin of course no longer popular property.) Peculiarly incongruous that Stalin is placed even temporarily as darkened corpse in narrow aisle on side Lenin’s lighted bier.
With gradual removal police lines groups of the curious frequent Red Square but life outwardly returning to normal indicating that whatever check was produced by first announcement Stalin’s illness is wearing off.
- Repeated for information to Bonn, London, and Paris.↩
- Dated Mar. 7, not printed. (611.61/3–753)↩
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In telegram 1277, Mar. 9, Beam provided a brief summary report on these three speeches. The telegram reads in part as follows:
“Of three speeches today at Stalin rites, only Molotov’s seemed to be real funeral oration. From his voice was obvious, he was shaken, and bulk his speech was devoted to Stalin and his accomplishments.
“Malenkov and Beria on other hand were obviously in complete control of themselves and they devoted most of their attention to charting future course of Soviet State. Malenkov made general outline, indicating that same policies would be carried on. In connection with his foreign policy statement that Soviet Union would strive to avoid war and to live in peace with all countries he hedged considerably when he said that governments should serve their peoples and that people of whole world wanted peace.”
The telegram continues:
“Beria’s speech, while much in same vein as Malenkov’s had two interesting additions. First was emphasis on guarding party, vigilance of armies, et cetera, all warning that no one had better interfere with party’s policies. Second important addition of course was his statement that all government and Communist organs had decided to continue policy of country uninterruptedly and that one of decisions they took in this connection was appointment of Stalin’s comrade in arms, Malenkov, as Chairman of Council of Ministers.” (Microfilm telegram files, “Moscow FY 53”)
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