Office of the Historian

861.01/2157: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, May 4, 1939—1 a.m.
[Received May 3—7 p.m.]

216. Foreign Office communiqué issued shortly after midnight states that Litvinov has been relieved at his own request of his duties as [Page 758] Commissar for Foreign Affairs, and that his place will be taken by Molotov who will continue as Chairman of the Soviet of People’s Commissars.

Kirk