711.94114 Supplies/10–2644: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kennan)
2532. ReDepts 2488, October 20. Spanish Embassy7 has informed Department that Japanese ship will carry mail intended for Japanese nationals detained in the United States and Canada and the following items sent by the Japanese Red Cross: 9 cubic tons of books and 32 cubic tons of tea.
Department has informed the Spanish Embassy that since the reciprocal nature of this operation has been made known to the Soviet Government, United States Government foresees no difficulty in connection with the transshipment at Nakhodka of mail and relief supplies sent from Japan.
Soviet authorities should be informed of the nature and quantity of cargo expected to arrive at Nakhodka from Japan. It is hoped that Soviet authorities will arrange to forward Japanese mail and [Page 1189] relief supplies to United States on first available Soviet ship proceeding to this country.8
- The representation of Japanese interests in the United States had been assumed by the Spanish Government.↩
- The Department had made an announcement to the press on October 24 that Japan would send the ship Hakusan Maru on October 28 to a Soviet port to take on relief supplies for distribution to American, British, Canadian, Dutch, and other Allied prisoners of war and civilian internees in Japanese custody. See Department of State Bulletin, October 29, 1944, p. 494.↩