800.51W89 U.S.S.R./86: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:30 p.m.]
207. Your 170, July 21, 4 p.m. There have been unusual demonstrations of friendliness toward this Embassy during the past week which I believe have been ordered by the Kremlin as a result of apprehension that Litvinov’s intransigence with regard to the matter of debts and claims might result in a prolonged disinclination of the Government of the United States to cooperate in any field with the Soviet Government.
[Page 122]The Soviet diplomatists are convinced that there is no possibility whatever of an early Japanese attack but the military men are so sure that an eventual attack is inevitable that they view Litvinov’s stubbornness with disquiet.
I believe therefore that you will begin your negotiations with Troyanovsky at a rather favorable moment.