740.0011 EW 1939/32203: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
2131. The announcement in Moscow in the newspapers for December 4 of the Conference was a complete surprise to me. There was agreement at the Conference that the two agreed declarations were to be released for publication not before December 6, 8 p.m., Moscow time. Your 1344 December 4, midnight,1 not urgent, which was received here December 6, 3 p.m. and promptly decoded. Release was to be made simultaneously in London, Moscow and Washington. It was my distinct understanding, and I was present, that it was understood that no mention of the Conference would be made [Page 645] before that time for security reasons. Since my return last night I have not seen Molotov who, I believe, only arrived back today and I am therefore unable at present to give an explanation of the reason which led the Soviet Government to authorize the announcement. It is not unlikely that the original reference by Reuters in Lisbon to a meeting of The Three and reports that Senator Connally in a broadcast had stated that a meeting was then taking place in the Middle East caused the Soviet Government to make the announcement in question.
I assume you have full information now as to the arrangements for simultaneous publication. I personally gave Major John Boettinger [Boettiger], of the President’s press staff, authentic copies of the two declarations2 in order that he might make the necessary technical arrangements.
I shall take the first suitable opportunity to ascertain from Molotov the reasons which led the Soviet Government to make the announcement.