Johnston spent nearly a month in the U.S.S.R. , was the first American diplomat to tour the Central Asian SSRs , and had a three hour long discussion with Stalin at a time when Ambassador W. Averell Harriman had yet to meet the Soviet premier .
Johnston spent nearly a month in the U.S.S.R. , and was the first American diplomat to tour the Central Asian SSRs . 
 He met with Stalin in a three hour long meeting when Ambassador W. Averell Harriman had yet to meet the Soviet premier .