-6- #2897, May 24, midnight, from London
 
copy of this treaty to my message.
 
     The Russians are deeply interested
 
establishing a second front. They feel that both
 
the Prince Minister and Eden have great sympathy
 
for their point of view, but that Brooke is re-
 
luctant to move and that they could get no definite
 
committments on action this year.
 
     I have felt myself that there has been less support for action
 
than when I returned here. Maisky asked me if I would suggest a date when such a front might be 
 
established. I told him that I had no authority to speak on the subject and that I could not even
 
discuss it with him, that it was a question that Molotov would have to take up when he reached
 
Washington. They plainly do not want to make any commitment on the Japanese situation and 
 
Molotov told me that in speaking of a second front he was speaking of a Western Front. They feel 
 
are carrying their maximum load on the Eastern Front.
 
     Maisky told me that he is very grateful for our promise to do everything in our power to 
 
keep Molotov's visit secret until his return tomorrow.
 
                                             (Department's
 
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