 That night, Stalin replied that the Soviets were willing to sign the pact and that he would receive Ribbentrop on 23 August.On 25 August 1939, the "New York Times" ran a front-page story by Otto D. Tolischus, "Nazi Talks Secret", whose subtitle included "Soviet and Reich Agree on East".On 26 August 1939, the "New York Times" report Japanese anger and French communist surprise over the pact.