Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume V

711.61/2–449: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kohler) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, February 4, 1949.

282. Under two column headline “Refusal President Truman Peace Pact Between USSR And USA” Soviet press February 4 prints 22 line New York Tass¹ despatch stating Acheson expressed himself negatively on all points touched in Stalin–Smith exchange and Truman’s subsequently supported Acheson’s views.² Despatch concludes: “Local circles believe Truman’s and Acheson’s negative attitude explained by fact peace pact runs counter to aggressive plans organization Atlantic Union”.

In contrast this coverage 3¼ columns given foreign reactions Stalin-Smith exchange which generally report favorable comment. Three-fourths column also accorded London Tass despatch quoting Platts-Mills’³ and Hewlett Johnson’s⁴ pleas for east west peace.

Kohler

1. Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union, the official communications agency of the government of the Soviet Union.
2. The Embassy indicated in telegram 287 from Moscow later in the day that the press headline that President Truman had rejected the peace pact had given the impression of bad faith on the part of the President. (711.61/2–449)
3. A member of the British House of Commons from Finsbury.
4. Hewlett Johnson was the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral in England.