Navy secretary Forrestal described Harriman’s position in his diary: “He said that their [the Russians’] conduct would be based upon the principle of power politics in its crudest and most primitive form. He said we must face our diplomatic decisions from here on with the consciousness that half and maybe all of Europe might be communistic by the end of next winter.” What was the best approach: the hard line that Harriman (the current Moscow ambassador) urged, or the soft line that Davies (a previous Moscow ambassador) advocated?
Harriman was right
