1074 THE MAISKY DIARIES: Book Review and Commentary

From: bronek <bronekc@me.com> Subject: DIPLOMATIC WORLD:  THE MAISKY DIARIES

THE MAISKY DIARIES: Book Review and Commentary

by B. Chapski

Newsletter published on November 8, 2019

The Maisky Diaries are a must read for all those interested in global
diplomacy or WWII. His labour is for those who have read a plethora of
bureaucratic records from the West and wish to see what elite cognitive
Soviet minds compiled. Most elite figures simply disappear due to a lack
of networking. This work reminds one of similar dissertations. At this
minute the Ponary Diary sticks out. I'd like to touch on Ponary,
networking, Maisky's background, contacts, work and life. A conclusion
refers to the ending of his life's adventure. The labour of this brief
condensed nearly 600 pages into 9.

The Ponary Diary is an obscure account of murder. Essentially, like the
Maisky Diaries, it's the result of networking concerns. It's message
emanated from notes contained in a few bottles. It's alleged data is by
Kazimier Sakowicz. He did not survive WWII. Thus, much about his
allegations can not be secured from him, or honestly verified.

Regarding this topic, it's worthy to note that activists, from around
the world, spent a great deal of time searching for info about their
1940s Ponary brethren. In this book we see that a Rachel Margolis spent
much effort, with her husband, searching for info about WWII Hebrews.
They collaborated with Jewish museum personal and others around the
globe, such as Abraham Sutskever. As a result, despite an apparent lack
of primary source substantiation, they were able to elicit their message
about suffering inflicted by Germans and Lithuanians.

After the war Madame Margolis was director of the Lithuanian historical
section of a state museum. She give out a plethora of negative info
pertaining to the Lithuanian nation where she resided.

She had obtained 16 bottles of messages about the suffering of her
brethren. These bottles also contained a document and a picture. No
doubt people were killed. In the scope of numbers the Hebrew team
deciphering the info came up with a figure that was vastly enormous and
oscillated around 60,000. It's an  extraordinary figure considering the
local population variables. The Ponary Diary was edited by Yitzhak Arad.
Now let us return to our related topic of collecting data from those
turbulent years.

The huge Maisky book of 584 pages came about due to the efforts of those
similar to the above. Itamar Rabinovich, of Tel Aviv University secured
funds for translations. Also, the help by John Donatich's global network
contributed.  The author, Gabriel Gorodetsky, from Tel Aviv University
and other schools, refers to Princeton University and additional
assistance sources. He notes his wife (Ruth Herz) who also deserves
credit as a resource. The success of these individuals is encompassing.
Unlike the Ponary Diary, the Maisky Diaries are becoming widely distributed.

As noted, the era under discussion was turbulent. If one read the recent
1,154 page classic entitled Stalin: Waiting for Hitler,  by Prof.
Stephen Kotkin, it's verified that many within the Soviets' elite were
liquidated. Thus, Maisky kept copies of his diary. My view is he wanted
to insure his legacy, but at the same time believed in Red commie utopia.

Ivan Maisky was born Jan Lachowiecki to a Jewish family in Poland.
Maisky's dad, became a tutor in Germany. Maisky bettered his dad's
accomplishments, he had a long and illustrious career. He even was a
major actor involved in the decision to support Jews during the
partitional plan for Palestine in 1947. This is fascinating due to a
recent congresswomen comparing the Holocaust to the Palestinian tragedy.
Media has attacked the argumentation and indicated Palestinians had been
anti-Semites. Seems in the study of humankind ethnicity is a leading
chapter.

Like all people, Maisky had his loves and hates. He seemed to despise
Germany. Although he had an adversity towards the Baltic States, his
dad's birth place of Poland and other countries, few could argue about
his love for England. The city of London seems to have held his heart.

In addition to having a close relationship with Churchill and Lloyd
George, he was very intimate, socially, with such famous individuals as
Bernard Shaw, who by all indications, was a communist. One of Maisky's
closest friends, the Hebrew publisher Victor Gollancz, remembered that
Maisky used to tell Jewish stories that he called  "Armenian."

Maisky, by all scales of measurement, seems to have been one of the most
influential world diplomats. One of his closest friends was Aleksandra
Kollontay, the famous Soviet militant female ambassador in Sweden and
Norway. Kollontay was a feminist who believed in free love. As for
background, earlier writings note Kollontay was of Hebrew Heritage. Wiki
notes she was Russian. Some infer her nationality was "Soviet."

As for Maisky's years in the city of Big Ben, he was almost an icon to
the British press. Maisky also had relations with the banking industry.
Further, not only did he converse with five British Prime Ministers, he
had immense backing from the Soviet foreign relations sector. In
addition to all of this, the head of the Soviet foreign relations,
Maksim Litvinov (Meir Moiseevich Wallach), a Slavic Hebrew, elicited
cardinal support for Tovarish Ivan Maisky.

Litvinov,  Peoples' Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, was more than just
one of Maisky's comrades. He was a rare and unique fellow and
exceedingly powerful. His signature was seen on the treaty of
Brest-Litovsk. It has been said that because of him Washington
eventually recognized the USSR. He had also been an ambassador to the USA.

Litvinov was born in Bialystok, Poland, to a rich Jewish banking family.
He could function in Yiddish, Polish, English, German and Russian. He
had taught foreign languages in the Jewish Jaffe school and was a world
traveller. During the Bolshevik Revolution he was a roommate of Joseph
Stalin. For years Litvinov ruled the roost of Moscow's foreign
relations. Like Aleksandra Kollontay and numerous others, he wrote his
nationality was Soviet.

Regarding support, it would be unfair not to mention Litvinov's wife. He
had a faithful and loyal spouse. Her name was Ivy Low. She was the
daughter of a Jewish professor. They had met in England. She was
intelligent and rather attractive, but more about her later.

The heights that Maisky had reached are almost unbelievable. The reason
for this is astounding because during the revolution he was in amongst
the Hebrew members of the Menshevik wing of the revolt. In other words,
he was not a Bolshevik. Later, he was arrested, sent to Siberia and
eventually was in the West. It is no secret that he told others he was
blessed to be forced out of his Russian birth place. Apparently it was
one thing to serve Soviet ideas and another to reside in Russia.

While abroad he finished his studies at the Univ. of Munich. Earlier, in
1912, while in GB, he wrote his mother that London was dirty and
permanently settled in fog. His road in life's travel changed after the
Czar lost power. It was in 1917 that he returned to Russia. It was an
adventurous time in his life. He even fought against Bolsheviks. When
Admiral Kolchak gained control over large sections of Russian territory
Maisky fled to Mongolia. Seeing the writing on the wall he joined the
Bolsheviks. It might have been the best move he ever made.

Maisky's serendipity remolded his life. It was due to friendship with
Litvinov and the premature death of the Soviet ambassador in London. He
discovered he enjoyed labor in the London Embassy. Next he spent two
years at the Soviet Embassy in Tokyo. Maisky's third wife, Agniya, did
not relish being the wife of an ambassador in Japan. Consequently, there
was correspondence with his buddy Litvinov, and it was suggested that
Maisky be transferred to Kovno, the capitol of Lithuania. Litvinov said
that Kovno was the fourth most important post after Berlin, Paris and
Warsaw. Maisky spent three years in Finland. He said that the people
there were anti-Russian. Then, unexpectedly, in September 1932 he was
told he would be transferred to London. He became ecstatic and wrote to
his dad that London was a world center. The ambassador to London,
Sokolnikov, a Russian Jew, was transferred to Moscow.

Maisky was not your average Ivan. Amongst other acquaintances that
Maisky held close was Sergei Borisovich Kagan (Samuil Bentsionovich),
first Secretary at the USSR's Embassy in London, from 1932 to 35.  Kagan
was promoted to Counselor and served Maisky faithfully. It was around
this time that the Soviet diplomatic road became rocky. Hitler had
become master of the Germans. In 1934 Litvinov emphasized to Stalin that
eventually there had to be war. The Soviet dictator brushed him off.

When Stalin was liquidating thousands of top military brass, Maisky
emphasized his value. He "psychologically" calmed vital British
acquaintances. Seems all would be well in what would develop into a
potential red utopia. (p. 26)

In February 1935 Maisky was informed that GB was concerned with the
welfare of Czechoslovakia. This was a time when Lloyd George, a lover of
the Soviet Union, had been spending time with Maisky and one could say
they were close in communist sentiments. Maisky suggested that Anthony
Eden go to Moscow. Eventually there was a meeting with Stalin and Maisky
was pertinent, as a translator. Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, was even
given the honor of having the first ride on Moscow's Metro. (p. 47)
During this period Churchill informed Maisky that he sought better
relations with Stalin because he feared Hitler's fanatical militarization.

It seemed that the entire region was becoming fearful of Hitler.
Litvinov visited Warsaw. We read, from those high on the diplomatic
ladder that  "… despite the pro German attitudes remaining strong in
Poland, there are signs that will eventually change…"  Hitler sought
lebensraum.  The British representative emphasized that, "You are a
friend of the Poles, so try to persuade them that they're playing a game
that will bring disaster…" (p. 52)

Maisky was perturbed about diplomatic opinions that Hitler would break
up Czechoslovakia and then annex Austria. Many within GB's parliament
believed the League of Nations could solve these problems. When Maisky
spoke with GB's king he was told GB was interested in relations
pertaining to Berlin and Warsaw. As for communism, he inferred that
Trotsky was an international communist whereas those in Russia were
national communists.

In January 1936 Litvinov arrived in London. Conversations pertained to
military dangers of Hitler. In a meeting with Eden it was emphasized
that you couldn't hug the bear, but good relations were desired. We also
read that during this period Maisky met with Wickham Steed, the
notorious anti-Semite, who endorsed The Protocols of Zion. Steed was
fearful of Hitler's hostile intentions. (p. 57) As a side issue within
the diplomatic world, we discover that Litvinov's wife, Ivy, was unpset
at her husband for running around with a beautiful nubile 17 year old
female. (p. 71)

The British felt France with the USSR could defeated Germany. Yet, they
feared, that if that occurred, neighboring Paris could become communist.
Then, on March 7, 1936, Hitler moved troops into the demilitarized
Rhineland. A new non-diplomatic era had arrived. Fear was in the air and
Eden flew to France. Hitler was gambling with war.

The League of Nations was losing its theoretical importance. The entire
English media favorited negotiations over any potential conflict. In May
1936 it was noted that if Hitler attacked Czechoslovakia, GB would be
unable to do anything unless the USSR helped.

Here, there's a gap in the diary. It's noted Hitler was wooing GB by
fanning flames of a potential red scare. At the same time, Europeans saw
that Stalin was cleaning his house of military elite, including Marshal
Tukhachevski who spoke perfect German. He was the leading expert on
Germany's military. Contemporary finds verify executions were due to
successful info plants by skillful Germans.

Maisky indicated that the British have been poisoned by the policy of
compromise and balance of power. At the Soviet Embassy the Japanese
ambassador paid a visit. Maisky was critical of Tokyo's aggressive
behavior. It was during this period, in March 1937, that the King had a
gathering that included foreign diplomats stationed in London. Maisky
sat at the same table as Ribbentrop. He believed that Herr Ribbentrop
had the manners of a Prussian and was "like a Maniac." (p. 75)
Ribbentrop actually saluted the king. World news referred to that behavior.

In 1937 Maisky recorded a shift in GB's diplomatic behavior. Neville
Henderson, a Germanophile, was sent to Berlin. In July Maisky had a long
conversation with Lloyd George. LG was full of positive remarks toward
the Soviet Union. George also emphasized Stalin was a decisive man. (p.
81) He even stated that Chamberlain was "a narrow, limited and fruitless
individual." LG referred to a visit he had with  Hitler. According to
him, Hitler seemed reasonable until he became deranged when referring to
Communism. (p. 81)

In a meeting with Chamberlain Maisky believed the PM would bequeath
Spain, Austria, Czechoslovakia and others for reconciliation with
Hitler. In diplomatic sentiments he was completely opposite to Eden.
Other studies show that Chamberlain referred to Maisky as a clever
little Jew. He was more than clever. He had an astounding network.

Maisky was a man of the world. He conversed with powerful figures,
including King Leopold of Belgium. It was at a banquet where the
nobility ate with gold utensils. It was there that Churchill gave him a
welcome and King George shook their hands.  Churchill stated he thought
Trotsky was a devil. Here, we could note that Maisky also met with
Hsiang-hsi F'ung, the Chinese foreign minister of finance. F'ung found
Goring to be completely against the Soviets.

Halifax is depicted as an individual not willing to sell out
Czechoslovakia. During this time Stalin had liquidated 62% of top
diplomats and Maisky was full of trepidation. Two prominent men in the
Soviet's London Embassy were recalled and executed.  Maisky's wife
nearly suffered a nervous breakdown. (p. 91)

Halifax flew to Berlin. He was lectured by Hitler about the need for
colonies (lebensraum?). Halifax insisted that policies must be
negotiated peacefully. We learn that Eden was against concessions.
Harold Nicholson (I have his memoirs) believed that Eden was correct and
continued appeasement would only lead to conflict.

In December Maisky was with Bernard Shaw, a world famous author and
afectionardo of Soviet ideas. Shaw was a vital contact, He was worth
more than his weight in gold as media loved him. Shaw rubbed shoulders
with the crème de la crème of European and American society.

With the Europeans concerned over Hitler's aggressive innuendos, Maisky
notes that Chamberlain had decided to sell out Spain. Maisky thought
Chamberlain was ignorant. On March 12 Hitler annexed Austria. Tensions
heightened among Europeans. Around this time Maisky visited US
ambassador Kennedy. Kennedy told him that the Red army would be unable
to adequately assist if little Czechoslovakia were attacked by Hitler's
huge growing military.

Maisky discovered that Churchill was certain a strike against the Soviet
Union would occur.  While Washington's Uncle Joe was terrorizing Soviet
elite, Lloyd George gave a warm message of admiration for Stalin. He
believed Stalin was the greatest statesman alive. (p. 113) Due to
Hitler's rhetoric, war was in the air.  In a meeting with Halifax,
Maisky asserted that if Prague was attacked and GB and France defended
Czechs, the USSR would join them.

Maisky learnt Henderson had told Ribbentrop that troops near
Czechoslovakia could have consequences. Ribbentrop responded that the
British Empire was an empty shell. Ribbentrop emphasized, "That Britain
was governed by Jews."  (p. 115)  Most authors on this topic agreed that
while Konrad Henlein, leader of the Sudeten Germans, was negotiating
with Prague, Hitler utilized every pretext to ensure that the two sides
would not come to an agreement. Prof. Richard Evans and numerous others
have plenty on that topic in best selling books.

Masaryk and others informed Maisky that they feared a lack of support
for Prague. A good section of the world leaders, including Roosevelt,
were not happy campers. A vast multitude of diplomats inferred that this
would only wet Hitler's appetite.  On September 13 Maisky thought this
was the foundation for war. On September 16 Prague was asking if it
could count on Soviet assistance.

Chamberlin forwarded a proposal to Hitler about the Sudetenland, where
the German population exceeded 50%. Reasoning could be done providing it
would have guarantees for the rest of Czech territory. Chamberlain
conceded that eventually the English might have to fight, but they were
now not ready. Halifax sided with the Czech, Masaryk.  Chamberlain
insisted Hitler would be an honest broker; He only desired the
Sudetenland. (p. 139)

On January 19,1939 Maisky became 55 years old. In his diary he perceived
Hitler's long-term goals were to disassemble the Soviet Union.  A few
weeks later on March 2, 1939 there was a reception at the Soviet
Embassy, with 500 elite guests. Included among these were Chamberlain
and Lloyd George. LG echoed that talking to Chamberlain was useless.
Chamberlain admitted his policies had failed.

On March 19 the world was stunned by Hitler's ultimatum to Romania.
Halifax sent out inquiries to Warsaw, Paris, Moscow and other capitals.
He was seeking opinions. Due to the fear of Hitler, the British
suggested a declaration from France, Poland and the USSR.  London, Paris
and Moscow were willing to sign. However, we read that the Polish
representative was thinking about the League of Nations. (p. 166)   GB
noted that if Hitler moved on the USSR, "decisive steps against Germany
would be postponed."

Maisky wrote that Hitler, having hoodwinked Warsaw, might now bring his
military against France. Then, the British diplomatic corps obtained
info that the next target would not be France, but Warsaw. At this
point, London's diplomats promised Poles assistance  (if independence
were threatened). This took Stalin off the hook. The Bottom Line:
Renewed savvy between Berlin and Moscow could be attempted. Yes,  Hitler
hated the Soviet Union, but eventual conflict could be postponed.

Maisky notes that Poland now became the center of attention. The German
press suddenly was raging a violent rabid campaign against Warsaw. (p.
168)  Masses of German troops were on Poland's borders. This gave Stalin
a key for opening treaty possibilities. It would be worthy if Hitler was
preoccupied with France and Poland. Molotov thought that this was the
time to reopen negotiations with Berlin.

The Maisky Diary has no mention of the May 1939 plans by Hitler to
attack Poland. Prof. Poganowski wrote articles about Hitler's desire to
secure Polish troops for an invasion of the USSR. The Third Reich in
Power, by Prof. Evans, has plenty about prior invasion plans. Hitler
reiterated it was not for Danzig, but  "Lebensraum." Prof.  Evans wrote
that Stalin was aware of Hitler's plans in August 1939. Soviet expert
Prof. Kotkin and a slew of others touch this.

Lloyd George asked Chamberlain what his second front would be. The
reply: Poland.  It was stated Warsaw didn't have the aviation nor
equipment to hold up. It had only been independent for 20 years (after
being occupied for 123 years). Thus, it missed the Industrial Revolution
and had a weak economy. Maisky wrote that a guarantee for Poland without
the Soviet Union was "irresponsible."

Halifax asked Maisky if the Soviet Union would contribute ammunition and
aviation without land forces. Maisky did not answer. (p. 172)  Next
Maisky was summoned to Moscow. Litvinov did everything to prevent his
recall. He insisted that in dire times the embassy would cease to
adequately function without Maisky.

Governments were scared of Hitler. Romania feared open agreements with
Moscow would provoke Berlin. As for the British, the general attitude
was now overwhelmingly hostile towards Berlin.  During these turbulent
times Molotov was instructed to purge the ministry of most questionable
Jews.

War was in the air. Seems everyone was afraid of Hitler. Halifax and
Maisky went from Paris to Geneva. A conference was held on how to avoid
war. Many theories were elicited. During the debates Halifax got way off
track; he went into verboten realms, questioning Maisky about religion
in the USSR. He did this because he was religious.

The English, French and Soviets considered a triple alliance (May 1939).
It was like a circus. Seems everyone was trying everything to keep
peace. The Kremlin was suspicious of Chamberlain. Henderson flew to
Germany and gave Hitler a document stating that if there's aggression
against Poland GB would fulfill obligations of assistance. Hitler
responded that Germany had to secure her own future interests.

On September 1, 1939 Poland's civilians were being Stuka-strafed and
cities bombed. Poland was attempting to put up resistance. Maisky met
with world leaders. Everyone was horrified.  On September 3 Henderson
handed Ribbentrop a note informing about possible war.. During this time
Maisky's survival was hanging by a thread. (p. 225) He was worried and
spent hours with Lloyd George. On September 17, 1939 the Polish
ambassador was given a note. It stated that since Poland had
disintegrated, the Soviet-Polish nonaggression pact was no longer valid.

Lloyd George now changed his tune and emphatically stated that Hitler
could not be trusted. Halifax wondered if a Polish buffer state would be
formed by Stalin. After all, the Poles were part of the European family
for over 1,000 years. A worried Churchill stressed that it was in the
interest of London or Moscow not to engage in conflict with one another.
As for Chamberlain, he reiterated that he no longer believed a single
word from Hitler. "If he wants peace, he'd have to prove it in deeds,
not words."

In January 1940 GB was given to understand that the Soviets harboured no
animosity towards Finland. However, Leningrad required land and distance
for protection. Maisky complained about GB's support for Finland.
Churchill told him he had hopes Finnish-Russian argumentation would not
turn into conflict (p. 238).

On April 5, 1940 Maisky met Frederick Engels. At this time panic was
everywhere.  At the Soviet Embassy an NKVD official, who laboured at
tractor work and had never done anything intellectual, was assigned as
an overseer. (p. 270)   In April Hitler's troops invaded Denmark and
Norway. In May 1940 Chamberlain resigned from the government. On May 15
Lloyd George stated that the Allies could not win the war. In June
France capitulated.

Maisky dinned with the world's creme de la creme. On June 25 Maisky had
lunch with US ambassador, Joseph Kennedy. JK elicited that GB was in for
gloom. He expected invasion and that Britain would be destroyed. (p. 289)

Seems discussions pertaining to Poland were everywhere. In the past
Poland had been partitioned for 123 years and continuously revolted.
Maisky said now things were different. He wrote if Hitler completely
occupied Poland, ethnic Poles would not survive. However, if Polska went
over to the Soviet Union it would exist.

We read that Maisky now found himself barred from Kremlin
decision-making. This was because he was Jewish and there was romance
between Berlin and Moscow. (p. 290)  During this period, Moscow feared
Britain might try to change course so that Russia would be fighting Hitler.

On November 4 Churchill mentioned that Hitler had a weakness at sea and
he was also too weak to overcome GB's sea power. In November Joseph
Kennedy was called back to the USA. Lloyd George changed his mind about
losing the war. Now he emphatically stated, that GB could achieve
victory. England had to be like a snake, cast off her capitalist skin
and become essentially a socialist state. (p. 326) On December 30 about
150 German bombers showered London. Europeans were destroying each other
like flies facing the swatter.

In February 1941 Maisky wrote that he had a distinguished guest. It was
the world renown Zionist  Dr. Weizmann. With the war raging he was
concerned that Palestine had no market for her oranges and the USSR
could assist with trade. He also spoke about Soviet Jews. He said that
his brethren there were on safe ground. He was worried about the Hebrews
West of the Soviet Union. He also wondered what a British victory could
do for Jews. He thought about moving 4 - 5 million Jews from Poland to
Palestine and then relocating the indigenous Arabs to Iraq. (p. 330)

As for Zionism, later in the year Ben Gurion also met Maisky. He tried
to enlist him in the Zionist cause.

On March 13 Maisky met with the new US ambassador.  The Ambassador
heaped complements upon the Soviet  representative. Like Roosevelt,
Harriman seemed to be a lover of the USSR. (p. 340)

On April 6, 1941, Maisky referred to Germany attacking both Yugoslavia
and Greece. Soviet officials stated that Berlin was forcing the USSR to
solidify its front. (p.342)  The Yugoslavs and Moscow had a friendship
treaty. (p. 343) Hitler didn't care.  Besides that, Russian intelligence
documented a colossal German deployment increasing upon the Soviet
border. The prevailing joke was that Ukrainian road signs should be removed.

On April 29, with things heating up, Maisky said he was sure of one
thing; that was the present Polish government will never be riding into
Warsaw. (p. 348)   The Chinese ambassador, Quo Tai-chi told him that
there were 17,000 strong members of the Polish armed forces defending
part of Scotland. (p. 349)  Maisky was also informed about an admirer of
Hitler, a former US ambassador to Belgium. He said Nazis wanting to
attack the USSR was gossip.

In the same month John Cudahy, US Ambassador to Warsaw (1933 -'37)
informed that he had been conversing with the Fuhrer. He was also a deep
admirer of Hitler. According to him, the Fuhrer spoke in harsh terms
about the USSR. It was kinda like conflict verba within AH's book (Mein
Kampf). Maisky learned that others, such as Friedrich Schulenburg, the
last German Ambassador to  the Soviet Union (before Operation
Barbarossa), sincerely believed that  a war between Berlin and Moscow
was inevitable. (p. 351) This was in May of 1941. Maisky wrote that
Churchill was convinced that war between Hitler and Stalin's USSR was a
sure thing. Also, in May it seemed all ideas were thrown to the wind;
the number two ranked Nazi, Deputy to AH, Rudolf Hess, landed in
Scotland (May 10, 1941). Governments were on overload with opinions. The
diplomatic world was in a frenzy.

In June Maisky was being flooded with war info. For example, Anthony
Eden laid out intelligence reports. Later, Churchill gave Maisky actual
detailed maps pertaining to massive Nazi tank and troop buildups.

Lloyd George again told Maisky GB would lose the war against Hitler's
military. (p. 359)  During this time Stalin was supplying trainloads of
raw goods and food to the Nazis. On the other hand, Berlin was not
sending the technology agreed-upon (in their mutual cooperation treaty).
There's lots of info about this in recent books by Prof.  Richard Evans
and Stephen Kotkin. As far as occupying Russia, Poland and later
Napoleon discovered that it's one thing to conquer Moscow; another to
hold it during Mother Nature's winter atonements. (p. 364)  On June 22,
1941 Maisky was awoken from his sleep. He was informed that the Nazi
steamroller had invaded the land of his birth.

The British war department believed Soviets could only hold out for 4 to
6 weeks. Just prior to the invasion Joseph Stalin had liquidated the
crème de la crème of the Soviet military. His troops had no experienced
leaders. On July 12 Moscow and London signed a military alliance. After
reeling defeats, Stalin required all the help he could get. Thus, a
Polish-Soviet treaty was signed. Polish General Sikorski met with Eden
and Maisky. Sikorski, who could function in Russian, German and English,
addressed Maisky  -for some strange reason-  in French.

Maisky's diary notes, So it is war. Is Hitler seeking his own death. We
did not want war; we did not want it at all. We did all we could to
avoid it. German fascism imposed war on us.  The higher-ups within the
Soviet elite believed London and Berlin would eventually obtain peace
amongst themselves. Litvinov believed the British fleet would join the
Fuhrer in an attack upon Leningrad. (p. 367)  The British ruling class
feared communism.

In August 1941 we read that, despite victories, Hitler's military
machine was unable to grind down the Russian army. Tens of thousands of
Red Army soldiers escaped encirclements. Nevertheless, in September the
Germans were outside of Leningrad. Maisky tells us, "Nobody helps us in
this struggle." Churchill commented that only God could help the
Soviets, and they don't believe in him.

Maisky indicated that  Stalin requested 30 divisions. He told Churchill
that if GB  could not open up a second front, it could at least send 30
divisions to the east. In February 1942 Maisky was convinced that the
English were biding their time; they were preparing for 1943. In April
1942 Maisky had a meeting with Rothschild, the rich banker.

A minor bone of contention was the Baltic States. GB and Washington
accepted the status quo (unofficially). A major bone of contention was
cooperation on the Polish border. Stalin insisted it remain as it was
after Sept, 1939.

When speaking about nations, Churchill said that India was not an
historic nation.  According to him, "Whoever came to India from the
north became her master."  He continued,  "Look at the Indian villages:
each stands on a hill. Where did the hill come from? Every year the
rainy season washes the huts away. The old ones are replaced with new
ones. In turn they are washed away. As a result, the hills grow higher
and higher. What kind of people is it that have not been able to invent
something better over the course of millennia?" (p. 420)   Churchill
said if GB were to leave India fighting would breakout, there would be a
civil war. He believed that Moslems would win because they are warriors.
He said that the Hindus were wind bags.

During this time Molotov found Churchill to be unsympathetic to Soviet
requests. Also, we read that Churchill was deterring Roosevelt from
committing to any second front.  Molotov, like Litvinov and Maisky, was
seeking to have at least 40 German divisions deterred. Roosevelt asked
Marshall if he could tell Stalin the Americans were preparing for a
second front. The general replied in the affirmative. However, he said
all depended on GB's position. (p. 434)

Roosevelt was insisting on opening a second European front. Churchill
convinced him that he should not be in any hurry. (442)   It was better
if Ivan and Gerry were killing each other.

Maisky's diary notes that, he believed that in the 21st or 22nd second
century communism would be established everywhere. (445)  On July 12
Maisky wrote that the Germans have had undeniable success sinking
convoys to Russia. Shipping had to be suspended. Hundreds of tanks and
planes were resting on the sea floor. Maisky wondered about having
better escorts.  He was worried. On July 26, 1942 Maisky wrote, that the
fascist were drawing ever closer to Stalingrad. He wondered if they
could be contained. (p. 455)   Could over extended supply lines take
Stalingrad?  He believed that if the Allies created a second front the
situation could immediately change.

With no second front achieved, Churchill was convinced that Stalin would
recall Maisky. Maisky wrote a long letter to Stalin. Churchill wrote in
his diary that he didn't like the idea that an entire nation was held in
Stalin's hands.  Stalin, Molotov and Churchill met, ate and drank until
3 AM. Churchill assured Stalin, that after the war, Prussian military
would be dissolved. Prior to 1871 Germany had consisted of over 300
competitive states.

The German defeat in Stalingrad further reduced the likelihood that the
allies would be creating a second European front. We read once again
that the British elite wanted the Nazis and the communists to
exterminate one another. (p. 462) That seemed the desire since 1941.

Despite the lack of a second front, Maisky was allowed to stay in
London. Maybe his relationships with Churchill, Lloyd George and elite
figures played a part in decision making. Perhaps the key to this puzzle
was Stalin and Maisky's feelings towards Germans. Still, Maisky was
full of trepidation. Thus, Maisky clung to Churchill writing him
numerous private letters. Churchill was reminded of their long enduring
bonds. (463) Was he in Churchill's pocket?

Churchill and Roosevelt wanted Stalin to engage in their Casablanca
conference. Stalin did not desire attending.

On January 1,1943 Maisky wrote that if you compared Nazi strength with
that of the Allies the outlook was positive. He did not believe Hitler
could win his war. He thought that the war's end might arrive near the
close of 1944. He believed that the Soviets would recapture pertinent
cities. He figured that if the Red army reached the Polish border in the
winter, the British and Americans would race to open up a second front
in France. He said that the world recognizes the turning tide and
obvious victory. He deemed that at the end of the war the Red Army would
be the strongest land force on earth.

On January 3 he wrote about the Donbas being liberated. He also referred
to the enormous loss of life within the German army. He said colossal
losses in men were matched in material losses. The Red army had recently
captured 2,000  undamaged tanks and more than 500 undamaged planes. (p. 466)

We read that Maisky's chances of staying in London were dependent on his
ability to obtain cooperation between GB and the USSR in post WWII
reconstruction. On January 17 Maisky wrote Lloyd George a long letter.
He said George might have been the best PM statesman that GB had
throughout this era. The letter is understandable. Was Maisky preparing
him psychologically, because of potential recall danger? Could Maisky
find a safe haven in GB?

On January 26 he wrote that the German masses knew very little about
their catastrophic losses on the front. This was due to effective
propaganda. Maisky thought generals on the front did not share Hitler's
mysticism. They knew that victory was impossible. Their only hope was to
manipulate a deal. The Germans were trying to split the Allies.

On February 9, 1943 Maisky's diary tells us that Eden was delighted with
the Soviet victory at Kursk. The Anglo-American forces would intensify
bombing Germany.  Churchill referred to the Polish 1920 victory over
Soviets: Commies were stopped from entering Germany and joining Berlin's
reds. He said how the wheel of history can turn.

On February 26 it's written that there was a speech in the House of
Commons. It was noted that no second front was needed. After all, there
was GB's Sea accomplishments and her unstoppable massive air strikes.
(p. 489)

On the first and second of March, 1943 700 English bombers raided
Berlin. The Germans responded with a retaliatory raid of only 40 planes.
Only 40.  Two days later Maisky wrote that Poles want to retain their
1939 borders. Eden believed Germany should be weakened so she could not
again be aggressive towards other Europeans. He thought that meant a
federation of German states. There was also concern about what should be
done with Poland.

Anthony Eden expressed much concern for the future of Poland. It
comprised millions of Central Europeans. Maisky told Eden that Soviets
stood for an independent and free Poland. He said that the Soviets would
maintain friendly relations with it. He then spoke of relocations. He
said he was not against bringing East Prussia into their future, with an
exchange of populations. As for the fate of the Baltic States, that was
not up for debate. They would be Soviet.

In the philosophizing it was noted that the threat from Finland has to
be eliminated. On March 16 Maisky handed Churchill a message from
Stalin. If concerned the US desire to participate in talks between the
USSR and Finland. Churchill's reaction was that if Helsinki sought
peace, she had to address this.

On April 23 Maisky obtained info from Stalin. Because the Poles were
suggesting that Soviets might be responsible for the horrific Katyn
massacre, relations with them had been broken off. Churchill said that
although the Polonians in GB, the USA and around the world acted in a
provocative manner, after news of the Katyn massacre, those within the
USSR should be allowed to leave. (p. 508)

Brendan Bracken, one of Churchill's closest friends, chimed in that
there are millions of Polonians and Catholics in the US and they
represent a large part of the electorate. Thus, Roosevelt could not
ignore the Polish issue. Churchill stated Poles needed their full
attention. Churchill also had some reservations concerning Katyn.
Maisky criticized Churchill about his suspicions regarding Katyn and
Soviets.

On April 27 Stalin wrote to Churchill that the Polish question had been
settled. April 29, 1943 Anthony Eden said that England recognizes
Poland's 1939 borders. Later, he changed his mind. On April 30 Churchill
indicated Moscow was intending to set up a Polish government. He said
that both the USA and GB look to supporting Poles. Maisky insisted that
control over Poland was rumor. The Soviets had no intention of becoming
involved in Polish politics.

On May 27 the Soviet ambassador to London visited his close friend Lloyd
George. LG expressed negative opinions about Poles and stated that there
was not one sensible man among them. They were all dreamers. According
to Lloyd George, in WWI the Poles were supported by the French and
especially his nemesis Clemenceau. Lloyd George believed that the
Soviets would be better off ignoring them. In the book Paris 1919, the
great granddaughter of Lloyd George had plenty about LG's take on
Germans, Greeks, the Irish, Poles and others. It's a good read.

June 14, 1943. Sir Arthur Harris, Chief Air Marshal, head of the RAF
bomber command, came with his wife for lunch. He stated that Germany
could be defeated from the air. He believed that, if he had more
bombers, he could defeat Germany in months, "at the most." The next few
pages indicate that Churchill did not want to finish the war in 1944.

Conclusio- On September 15, 1943, Maisky was recalled to Moscow. We read
that Molotov had been seeking the removal of Maisky from London and also
Maisky's buddy Litvinov (from Washington). Averell Harriman said that he
had never seen a man collapse so completely as Litvinov, when he
discovered he had to return to Moscow. His wife told friends she was
fearful she would never hear from him again. In her unpublished memoirs
Ivy stated that her husband almost went crazy. She begged friends not to
send him books. As for Maisky, when hearing that he was being recalled,
he composed his political will. Seems Stalin had been in bed with Jews
and no longer wanted them.

Maisky, on his way to Moscow, arrived in Cairo. He had seven large
trunks and some 70 pieces of heavy luggage. These required 63 ton
trucks. The convoy with his possessions also consisted of 11 cars. When
he was in the Middle East he tried to draw the Zionist Yishuv into the
Soviet orbit. He  had connections with the president of the World
Zionist Organization. On his way home, he spent crucial days in what was
then called Palestine. This gave him first-hand knowledge of
transnational Zionist movements and that country's ability to absorb
Jewish immigration.

Defying the British, he revisited Jewish religious areas in Jerusalem.
Further, he met with Ben-Gurion and Golda Mier, among other Zionistic
leaders. His wife wanted to know about everything that was referred to
in Hebrew. Most of the World Zionist leaders she spoke with were fluent
in Russian. They were confident that they could create a great future
Jewish state. This would be done once the British were disposed off.
(pp. 542 -544)

We read that Maisky had tried to convince Stalin to cooperate with the
networks of transnational Zionism. Such an endeavor perhaps had cost him
dearly. In all probability, he was not executed because Stalin expired.
  We read that Maisky could see his diplomatic potential would be
hindered. Thus, he decided to take care of his own destiny. He entered
harmless academia. In January 1947 he was stripped of his candidate
membership within the Party's  Central Committee. He had turned from a
world renowned diplomat into a sphere of narrow academics.

Back in Moscow Maisky turned down invitations by the famous sculptor
Epstein to have a bust made. People from all over the world tried to
bestow honors on him. However, he sought to stay out of the limelight.
It's worthy to know that, for some strange reason, Maisky told Anthony
Eden he was opposed to Russians who sought camaraderie with other Slavs.
Why? Maisky dreaded Pan Slavism. (p. 540)

In 1952 Litvinov and Kollontay, his close comrades, died. In 1953
Vyacheslav Molotov (ne Skryabin) convinced Khrushchev that Maisky was a
spy, in English pockets. Thus, Maisky's arrest coincided with the
so-called 1953 Doctors' Plot. Maisky underwent interrogations until
Stalin's death. He had escaped repressions that liquidated hundreds of
thousands. Now he was subjected to more than harassment.

It's possible his Beria connection might have saved his life. A phone
call from Beria wanted Maisky in his office immediately.  Beria promised
to rehabilitate him. He sought to place him in charge of Moscow's
British intelligence. However, after Beria's coup de d'etat failed,
Maisky was placed in custody. After that, he tried to hide their
association. After being rearrested Maisky had a nervous breakdown.

The USSR Supreme Court, on December 24, 1953, stated that Beria was
involved in espionage along with Maisky. It was alleged that Beria was
planning a coup d'etat and that Maisky would provide contacts with
foreign elite. For two years Maisky pleaded with Khrushchev, begging to
be rehabilitated. Eventually he was given clemency.

He wrote his memoirs and suffered a stroke at 81. His criticism of
Stalin's behavior during the Nazi invasion was not appreciated. At the
age of 91 his manuscript about Churchill's inner circle was rejected. It
was then allegedly "lost" by his publishers. Maisky expired Sept. 3, 1975.


I was in Central Europe, at a party, when Maisky expired. At the event
were a few authors, journalists, an editor of either a weekly or monthly
(I can't remember), a director of a think tank, a member of parliament
and a film director. They indicated that diplomatic networks similar to
those within Maisky's era today thrive in Washington, European and other
Embassies.

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