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I referred to the question of Communism and the fear  
prevalent in Europe that the cessation of hostilities will lead to the   
immediate spread of this doctrine throughout the continent. I explained that   
I believed these fears to be greatly exaggerated. In my own country, in   
cases of dissatisfaction among laborers in the steel industry or automobile   
plants, for example, the coinunity was inclined to describe this as   
Communism. Wherever there was want there would be dissatisfaction, but with   
adequate relief measures and the prompt establishment of an orderly system    
ontrol, I felt sure, we would be able to cope with this ques
 
                                                            
 
 
Needless to say, all of these measures which we are planning to take are   
predicated on the assumption that the war will end in a complete defeat of   
many, of which the American people and Government are convin
 
                                                            
 
 
I said that I had also conveyed the foregoing to His Holiness the Pope, to   
the Cardinal Secretary  of State Magilone, and other important officials in   
the Vatican. I had had a most satisfactory visit with General Jordana, of   
whom I formed a very high opinion. He received my Government's views with   
cordial comprehension. I had also had the pleasure of am interview with   
General Franco whom I described as a soldier whose mind is focused on   
military events rather than on the prohlems of peace. Dr. Salazar's   
amusement at these observations seemed clearly to indicate that he shared   
       my estimate of the General's mental processes.       
 
                                                            
 
 
As regards Russians I said that I was conscious of a feeling in the Vatican   
and Madrid that the British Alliance with Russia and our association as   
members of the United Nations was regarded askance in t hose capitals. I   
explained to Dr. Salazar that we regarded the Russian Government as a   
wayward child, and I was not convinced that that country would not prove to   
be a useful and benificial factor in the post war world. I mentioned that a   
year ago when I was at the vatican and met some of our delegates proceeding   
to Russia, I had counseled them to impress upon Mr. Stalin the necessity for  
permitting religious freedom in Russia and freedom in other respects. I   
pointed out to Dr. Salazar that this was specifically mentioned in the   
lantic Charter, of which the Soviet government was a signato
 
                                                            
 
 
As regards territorial changes, I did not attempt to do more than touch   
lightly on this intricate problem, but mentioned that with good will and the   
application of moral principles we could avoid many of the mistakes of the   
last peace.I stated specifically that none of the statetureen with  
whom I had talked believed it possible that a country of 80  
millions could control the hundreds of millions and the vast  
areas which are now under the occupation of Germany. The                                                     
religious, racial and political problems involved were too vast. I asked   
the Prime Minister if he were familiar with Monsieur Briand's plan for a   
reorganized Europe and he replied that he was. I said that I felt that this   
                plan would be too difficult