June 27, 1944
Telegram from Harriman to Secretary of State
033.161 Johnston, Eric/13: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
Moscow, June 27, 1944 - 4 a.m.
[orig. note: Received June 27 – 12:15 a.m.]
- This evening[1] I introduced Eric Johnston to Marshal Stalin. The conversation, which lasted 2½ hours, was most affable. Johnston was much impressed with Stalin’s intimate knowledge of American production figures, both war and prewar. Stalin gave him considerable information as to Soviet production and future objectives.
- Johnston indicated that he would do everything he could to promote extension of credits by the United States to Russia for the purchase of American machinery for reconstruction and assured the Marshal that American business desired the development of the fullest trade and commerce with the Soviet Union in both directions. A detailed report will follow.[2]
Johnston handled himself well and Stalin obviously liked him and what he said.
HARRIMAN
[1] [orig. note] June 26.
[2] [orig. note] See telegram 2369, June 30, 3 p.m. from Moscow, p. 973.
Harriman gives the Secretary of State, Cordell Hull, a brief account of Eric Johnston's and Stalin's impressions of each other.
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