611.6131/325: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 11—noon.]
275. The Commissariat for Foreign Affairs has just informed us that Litvinov will leave Moscow the 13th for a long period. I expect to see him tomorrow morning the 12th.
We have also been informed that Litvinov has reverted to his position outlined in my telegram No. 219, June 3, 10 p.m., with regard to date and publication of his letter to me so that it will be necessary to iron out this minor difficulty tomorrow morning.
Apparently he now proposes that his letter shall be in reply to a letter from me, my letter to be dated July 11, the notes to be dated and exchanged July 13th, his letter to me to be signed and delivered July 13th but to be dated July 15th.
I shall attempt to persuade him to date his letter to me July 13 and to consent to its publication simultaneously with the publication of the notes. He apparently will have no objection to publication of his letter to me on July 15 or to our publishing simultaneously with the note a statement worded as follows:
“The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has assured the Government of the United States of America that during the 12 month period of this agreement it intends to purchase in the United States American products for export to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the value of $30,000,000.”
I should be obliged if the Department would inform me before I see Litvinov tomorrow if a compromise of this sort would be acceptable.
In case the Department should approve I would send Litvinov the following letter dated July 11:
“Excellency: I have the honor to refer to our recent conversations in regard to commerce between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and to ask you to let me know the value of articles the growth, produce or manufacture of the United States of America which the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics intends to purchase in the United States of America [Page 212] during the next 12 months for export to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Accept Excellency the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.”
The Embassy has agreed to number the three paragraphs which contain the substance of the agreement in the notes to be exchanged, it has also agreed to the insertion between the words “America” and “American” in Mr. Litvinov’s letter of the words “during the above-mentioned period”.
The Commissariat for Foreign Affairs has proposed that the statement to the press should be issued the afternoon of Saturday the 13th. I should be obliged if the Department would give me its views as to this publication date.