760p.6111/73: Telegram
The Chargé in Latvia (Packer) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 7—3:51 p.m.]
300. Foreign Office official informs me that (1) Soviet leasehold north of Windau runs to point of peninsula at Cape Domesnes; (2) Latvian troops are to be withdrawn from coast to Mitau and Tukums; (3) among Soviet troops who have arrived in Libau are included many Kirghiz and other Mongol peoples, also some Letts, Kirghiz being sent because they are good soldiers and interested in nothing but soldiering and hence less susceptible to foreign surroundings. Soviet troops, informant added, are buying liberally, especially wrist watches and shoes.
Reliable informant who has just spent 3 days in Libau states that Soviet warships have departed (see Legation’s 276, October 23, 10 a.m.65) and that he saw no Soviet soldiers on the streets of the city. They are apparently at present restricted to the naval port area.
- Not printed.↩