24.7.39.

Foreign & General
1. The conversation with Wohltat was held by R.S. Hudson (Overseas Trade) who reported to the P.M. following day. Obviously the affair has been allowed to leak out intentionally. Italian press reported as suggesting that this (tie-up with Germany) is a threat aimed at impressing U.S.S.R. Anglo-Russian pact back on front page with suggestions that Stalin really wants it. German trade talks are also being resumed, this presumably a threat aimed at England. Daily Telegraph [a]
2. Fighting on Mongolia° border evidently genuine. Daily Telegraph [b]
3. Japanese press giving advance forecast of terms to Britain over Tientsin which would clearly not be accepted. Daily Telegraph [c]

[a] [b] [c]