Correspondence with Ivan Maisky

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 133 GDN/A/M29
  • Dates of Creation
      1 Dec 1925-16 Sep 1943
  • Physical Description
      23 pieces; 28 sheets

Scope and Content

Correspondence with Ivan Mikhailovich Maisky (1884-1975), diplomat and Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom, relating to arrangements for meetings between Maisky and Scott. Also included is an expression of good wishes on Scott's 80th birthday from Maisky and [Leonid Borisovich] Krasin, diplomat and Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom, with thanks for the support and sympathy expressed in the Manchester Guardian for Russia affairs, despite their differing political views. There is correspondence relating to a statement by Oliver Locker-Lampson, politician and naval officer, on complaints made by the government to the Russian Soviet authorities regarding hostile propaganda, which is refuted by Maisky.

There is also a letter of farewell from Maisky, expressing his regret at leaving Britain owing to the cessation of diplomatic relations between Britain and Russia, and which discusses the impact this will have on Anglo-Russian trade, claims of Bolshevik propaganda, and concern that this is the first step towards war. There is reference to the influence the Manchester Guardian may have in preventing war, and suggestion of the employment of a correspondent for the paper in Moscow. There is correspondence relating to arrangements for a meeting between Scott and Grigoriy Yakovlevich Sokolnikoff, Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Also included is correspondence between Maisky and W.P. Crozier, relating to arrangements for meetings, and an invitation to a farewell dinner for Jan Garrigue Masaryk, diplomat and Czechoslovakian ambassador to the United Kingdom, which is declined. There is also a letter of farewell from Maisky, on his leaving Britain to take up the position of Foreign Commisseriat in Moscow, and an expression of good wishes from Crozier on his departure.