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London also heard that the Russians, supremely anxious for an immediate invasion of western Europe, gracefully swallowed facts which they had hitherto refused to believe. The implication of this report was that Anglo-U.S. strategists had already scheduled western invasion about as soon as it could be effectively attempted.
Before the announcements confirmed the overall agreements, Pravda changed its tone from one of raucous demand to purring satisfaction. Said Pravda:
"Long live the victory of the Anglo-Soviet-American fighting alliance over the bitterest enemy of humanity, the German Fascist enslavers.
"Long live the glorious Anglo-American troops fighting against German Fascists on Italian territory.
"Greetings to pilots of the Anglo-American air force who are dealing blows at the vital centers of Fascist Germany."
The Men. On the day of the announcements, Viacheslav Molotov did not see correspondents. He and Joseph Stalin had much to ponder; for one thing, if the agreements meant all that they seemed to mean, nationalist Russia had agreed to go international again, in full accord with capitalist powers.
Said Anthony Eden: "A pretty considerable result."
Cordell Hull broke his rule against social gadding in Moscow, stayed until the last dog was hung—at 2:30 a.m.—at a brilliant state dinner, and heard Joseph Stalin toast the U.S. and British Armies in Italy. Later, Hull gave his own reactions:
Stalin is a remarkable man, one of three world leaders bearing a responsibility such as no other three men will have for perhaps another five centuries. Russia and the U.S. are better friends than they could have been before the conference. A long step has been taken toward winning the peace, and from now on, isolationism for any of these three world powers is not even a possibility.