861.2423/10–549: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
2516. Embtel 2414, September 26. Few Soviet popular reactions President’s announcement atomic explosion USSR gleaned chiefly by American correspondents. Samples correspond to our guess about general attitude of Soviet citizens: Little excitement, some pride in Soviet achievement, perhaps slightly greater sense security due diminution American atomic “threat.” We believe majority accepted Molotov 1947 statement, hence President’s statement not major surprise. Also Soviet press has never whipped up apocalyptic hysteria about importance of bomb as has US press since 1945. Soviet citizens very much absorbed in problems daily life, believed less tense about chance of war than year ago, constantly assured by own leaders that warmongers will not succeed launch war.