861.9111/525: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 10—4:17 a.m.]
2063. Analysis of Soviet press for May. During May the ever fluctuating balance of the Soviet press between cordiality and confidence in its Allies and mistrust of “reactionary” elements in the capitalist world inclined more than ever toward friendliness. The Italian offensive and mounting invasion preparations occasioned growing appreciation of the Allied military contribution to the anti-Fascist crusade.
There were strong indications also of Soviet intentions of continuing and strengthening broad political cooperation during and after the war. Editorials on the second anniversary of the Anglo-Soviet treaty emphasized successful cooperation in such matters as Italy and the joint warning to Hitlerite satellites.82 Toward projected international organization such as world currency plans the press was reserved pointing out that the specific characteristics of the Soviet system must be considered but it has abandoned its former reticence.
On the negative side must be mentioned criticism of Anglo-American policy toward Spain and playing up of the “Fascist” trials in America. As usual there were many indications that the directors of Soviet opinion wished to keep alive fear of world “reaction” and “Fascism” which is pictured as having centers in all countries except the Soviet Union.
In Europe chief interest was taken in Poland and Yugoslavia. In both clear indications were given that the Soviets regard the native [Page 884] “popular” movements as the only true representatives of these nations. Elsewhere the press continued to play up “popular” movements which opposed the Germans such as the Partisan movement in Italy and the “Fatherland Front” in Bulgaria.
Significant gestures indicating a possible Soviet attempt at a rapprochement with the Catholic Church were indicated by reports of Orlemanski’s statements in Moscow and N[ew] Y[ork] quoting Stalin as “very favorably disposed” to the Church and as opposed to any Soviet persecution of the Catholic Church.
On the home front the press organized and spurred effort in war production and with evergrowing emphasis on reconstruction.
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- For correspondence on the development of the terms of the statement to be directed to the Axis satellites, see vol. i, pp. 585–606, passim. The text of the statement made public on May 12 is printed in Department of State Bulletin, May 13, 1944, p. 425.↩