Statement of M. Molotov's re-actions 
 
        I saw Mr. Molotov last night and spoke to him as 
instructed. I think that the statement was timely be-
cause it was clear that he had been watching the Press 
closely and I got the impression that he had been attach-
ing more importance to it than it deserved.
 
       He said that the question was one that could not but 
interest the Soviet Government. Judging by the newspapers 
talk about a bloc had been going on for some time, and 
judging by statements made by representatives of other 
governments, for instance Belgian and Norwegian, question 
had already been discussed. M. Spaak had spoken to M. Gusev 
about it. The French Government had been canvassing it also. 
He even recalled the speech made by General Smuts about a 
year ago. He was very grateful to you for the information 
I have given him. He hoped that you would keep him current-
ly informed of any further developments.
 
       He was obviously relieved by what I told him and he 
asked me to repeat the summing up in paragraph 5. I 
enquired if there was any specific point, about which he felt 
any doubts. He replied that he would have to think the 
matter over a little and said that a recent message from 
the Prime Minister to M. Stalin had shown that Mr. Churchill 
had not yet considered it. Finally we agreed that it would 
probably be one for discussion at the next meeting of the 
three Heads of the Governments.
 
 
 
 
 
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