611.6131/324: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bullitt)
147. Your 272, July 8, 8 p.m. Department desires that signature of notes be deferred until July 12, if that date is agreeable to the Soviet Government, in order that the Department may have time to prepare statement to be made by you at time of signature. Department considers the publicity that will be given to the signature of these notes a matter of great importance. Department will telegraph not later than 5 p.m. Washington time July 11 statement to be made by you.
As soon as time of signature has been agreed upon, please notify Department so that it can release to the press simultaneously with signature texts of identic notes, Litvinoff’s letter to you with regard to Soviet purchases during the next 12 months, and statement made by you.