860F.24/8–1446: Telegram

The Ambassador in Czechoslovakia (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State

secret

1512. The note regarding surplus war property credit quoted in my last numbered telegram53 has been transmitted by me telegraphically so that Dept may give me appropriate instructions as to reply I should make to Czechoslovak Foreign Office.

In my opinion the note is further evidence of a developing aggressive tendency on part of Czechoslavak Govt to dictate to United States extent to which assistance should be rendered Czechoslovakia. It fits into the pattern of making use of individual Czechoslovaks who are moderates as a front for the purpose of extracting from United States maximum benefits for Czechoslovakia the Leftist elements simultaneously belittle the assistance already assured, play down our aid and at the same time threaten United States with a further orientation to the East if additional aid is not forthcoming. The note in question affords us an opportunity to express our displeasure with these tactics.

In view of the prolonged absence of Masaryk and Clementis from Praha it is reasonable to suppose that the note in question was drafted by the Leftist element in Foreign Office. A prompt and sharp answer would, I believe, have a sobering and salutary effect on the Leftists who are at present in charge of Foreign Office. While we probably would not have received this note had either Masaryk or Clementis been in Praha it is nevertheless significant of the trend of thought of the elements which in the last analysis control the Govt.

As Dept will doubtless deal with the charge of discrimination, particularly in respect of the agreement with France and sales of tires to Sweden and Switzerland, the only comment necessary from me is to invite Dept’s attention to the absurdity of the contention that [Page 214] Czechoslovak Govt intended to or could have used “the whole amount of 50 million dollars for purchases of American surplus war property”.

Steinhardt
  1. Telegram 1511, supra.