741.94/486: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 13—9 a.m.]
754. For the President [and] the Secretary. Kase45 called on me this afternoon and said that Matsuoka desired to meet the British Ambassador but that due to the fact that the Japanese Ambassador had been offended by Cripps’ attitude toward him ever since his arrival in Moscow (see my despatch No. 1179, February 28, 194146) Matsuoka was unable to invite Cripps to call on him. Kase accordingly suggested that Matsuoka should call on me at 12:30 tomorrow and that Cripps be present “by accident”. He stressed the fact that Matsuoka did not wish the Japanese Ambassador to know of the meeting nor the Germans or Italians and that he was desirous that the meeting should not receive publicity.
I pointed out to him that under the conditions existing in Moscow of close and constant surveillance of Chiefs of Mission by the Soviet authorities and foreign press representatives, it would be impossible for such a meeting to take place apparently “by accident” and that publicity with various undesirable implications was bound to follow. When I suggested as an alternative that I arrange to have the British Ambassador meet Matsuoka elsewhere Kase demurred on the grounds that Matsuoka did not wish Tatekawa to know of the meeting, since Tatekawa would object to his meeting Cripps.
Towards the close of the conversation Kase stated that Matsuoka intended to attend the Moscow Art Theater this evening. I stated that Mrs. Steinhardt and I also would attend that theater this evening and that the British Ambassador and Lady Cripps would be our only [Page 939] guests, thus affording Matsuoka an opportunity to meet the Ambassador and talk with him during the intermission without evoking any comment. I pointed out that such a meeting would appear to be quite casual inasmuch as a substantial part of the Diplomatic Corps is usually to be found at the Moscow Art Theater.
Repeated to Tokyo.