740.0011 European War 1939/10564: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State

893. I have learned from a member of the French Embassy that when the new French Ambassador26 called on Molotov he delivered what my informant described as a “speech” dealing with the planned collaboration between France and Germany and indicating his belief in an ultimate German victory and his faith in German promises which I judge was substantially along the line taken by him in his talk with me. My informant stated that upon his return to the Embassy the Ambassador has expressed his surprise and chagrin that Molotov “had [Page 166] not uttered a word during the entire session”, and that short of greeting him on entering the room and saying good-bye he said “nothing”.

Steinhardt
  1. Gaston Bergery, successor to Eric Labonne.