The Missionary's Return

The plane carrying America's No. 1 Russophile on Mission II to Moscow circled down at the Soviet capital with an escort of five fighters. On his head energetic, individualistic ex-Ambassador Joe Davies wore the first Panama hat seen in Moscow in many a day. Under his arm he tightly pressed the brief case holding a private letter from Franklin Roosevelt to Joseph Stalin.

No one but the U.S. President and a secretary-typist knew what the letter contained. Before the week was out Nazi propagandists would say that Messenger Davies had brought a proposal for the history-making dissolution of the Comintern (see col. 2). Other speculation: the letter had to do with: 1) a meeting of Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin and Chiang Kai-shek (before the U.S. Congress Winston Churchill "earnestly" hoped for such a meeting); or 2) Soviet Union war and postwar aims, still an unknown factor; or 3) Russo-Vatican relations; or 4) Russo-Polish differences; or 5) all four.

The day after his arrival Joe Davies was summoned to the Kremlin. He had met Stalin five years ago, the climax of Mission I to Moscow. Then Joseph Stalin had impressed the Ambassador as "a strong mind . . . sharp, shrewd and above all . . . wise . . . exceedingly kindly and gentle. . . . A child would like to sit in his lap and a dog would sidle up to him." Now Mr. Davies found his old acquaintance as amiable as ever, still wearing a military tunic and boots, but looking healthier, a trifle stouter. Certainly, said Joe Davies later, "he doesn't look like a man who is worried."

The messenger tendered the letter. Stalin opened it, gave it to an interpreter to read aloud, listened impassively. The letter read, he turned, smiling, to the American: "I will take the points raised under advisement," he said, "and see you in a day or two." Then, with traditional Russian courtesy, he inquired about his visitor's health (ailing Joe Davies had brought to Russia a supply of dehydrated food and an intestinal specialist). The informal chat touched on Joe Davies' stop-off at Stalingrad to lay a wreath on the unknown Russian soldiers' grave. Remarked Stalin quickly: Did Mr. Davies see the graves of 96,000 Germans near by?

Two hours passed before the talk broke up. It was an extraordinary honor for any visitor. At week's end Joe Stalin gave Joe Davies an elaborate state dinner (four and a half hours, 22 dishes, 19 toasts). After the meal they attended a showing of Hollywood's pro-Russian Mission to Moscow. Mr. Stalin enjoyed it immensely. So did Mr. Davies.

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