740.0011 European War 1939/21221: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:52 p.m.]
131. In as much as I expect to return to Kuibyshev within the next few days I called on Molotov again last evening.
I informed him that our Military Attaché had received a message from General Marshall90 expressing his appreciation for the courtesy extended to the American bomber crew and stated that General Marshall wished to give assurances that the landing was wholly unintentional. After thanking me for this message Molotov asked me to request my Government to take adequate steps to prevent such landings in the future. I stated that I felt sure that my Government had already [Page 549] issued such instructions. (I deemed it inexpedient to convey to Molotov a further message from General Marshall received by the Military Attaché suggesting that if agreeable to the Soviet Government the plane crew be removed to the west to avoid embarrassment; the personnel be temporarily attached to the Embassy; and that the plane be proffered to Stalin for use in the Soviet Union.)
Referring to my conversation with Stalin I stated that I wished to emphasize importance of regular air communications between the United States and the USSR and stated that I believed this matter would soon be taken up formally.
I then stated that I might find it necessary to come to Moscow frequently to consult with him. Molotov replied that this was perfectly understandable and agreeable. I also said that I felt that it would be in the interest of both Governments for Captain Duncan91 to remain in Moscow for the present to finish up certain work already commenced. Molotov replied that that matter was wholly within my own hands.
Molotov referred to the Embassy’s note regarding the assignment of Major Szymanski as liaison officer with the Polish Forces in the Soviet Union and stated that he did not wish to make this matter the subject of official correspondence until he had received clarification of exactly what was involved. He added, however, that it was the opinion of the Soviet authorities that none [no need] existed for such an officer since it seemed to them that any questions affecting the Polish forces could be adequately dealt with by the Polish and American Military Attachés.92 I replied that I was not familiar with the matter and desired to consult the Embassy’s files before discussing it.
I referred to rumors I had heard in Kuibyshev to the effect that the Japanese had demanded that the Soviets withdraw their troops a certain distance from the Manchurian border and dismantle certain fortifications and that Soviets had answered by stating that they would withdraw their troops if the Japanese would do likewise. Molotov stated that the Japanese had not even hinted at such a move.
Molotov made no reference (nor did Stalin when I saw him) to the President’s suggestion that he visit Washington.