I think it is quite certain that the German Government intends neither to capitulate nor to come to terms and failure of recent plot coupled with installation of party men in key army posts likely to make any organised opposition movement impossible even in army. Hitler said to party leaders August 4th that he is essential to Germany as she requires a man who will under no circumstances capitulate. They have called up youths of 14 years to help in fortifying eastern frontier.

While some colleagues think Germans may hold off Russians from Germany proper nevertheless most neutral colleagues regard Russian penetration as practically certain. The Swiss Minister believes that it is only question of short time until they are as far as Oder and he thinks that within two months they may be as far as Berlin. The Portuguese Chargé d'Affaires who is not long here asked to see me two days ago to enquire what I proposed to do if the Russians get here and German Government transfers from Berlin seat of government. He said that Swedish Chargé d'Affaires put this question to him last week. I told him that I had not raised the question. I understand from member of his staff that Swiss Minister has decided that in such an eventuality he would not follow Government but would remain here and endeavour to make contact with Russians. I do not know whether he has received instructions in this sense. The only European neutral mission here with representation in Moscow is Sweden.

I have thought it more prudent not to ask other neutral colleagues about their intentions in this matter. The Portuguese Chargé d'Affaires has had no correspondence from home on this question. I should be glad to receive any instructions you think it well to give me for such eventuality.