Office of the Historian

711.94114 Supplies/10–2744: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kennan) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, October 27, 1944.
[Received October 28—7:33 a.m.]

4121. The following aide-mémoire dated October 26 has been received from the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs:

“In view of the pending arrival of Japanese vessel in the Soviet port of Nakhodka to pick up food and relief supplies and medicaments for Allied prisoners of war and civilians interned in Japan the following is brought herewith to the attention of the Embassy of the United States of America.

1.
The Japanese Embassy in Moscow has informed the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the USSR that the vessel may take on 400 tons of freight over and above the stipulated 1500 tons and if it is possible somewhat more by utilizing the upper deck of the vessel for freight.
2.
Since the freight in Vladivostok is destined for American, English and Canadian war prisoners and interned civilians9 and also having in view that the Japanese vessel will not be able to take on all this freight it is desirous to know what proportion should be held back in the loading of the vessel.
3.
The appropriate Soviet authorities also desire to know which portion of the total freight to be forwarded on the vessel should consist of medicaments or whether all medicaments should be loaded.
4.
Taking into consideration the specific character of the means of transport the appropriate Soviet authorities have in mind to turn over the freight in question to the Captain of the Japanese vessel10 against a transfer receipt and not against a bill of lading.
5.
The Japanese Embassy in Moscow has informed the People’s Commissariat that the Government of Japan through its Minister in Spain11 has advised the Government of the United States of America that there will be delivered on the Japanese vessel arriving in the Soviet port of Nakhodka freight consisting of 5 tons of books, 32 tons of Japanese tea and 4 tons of school books total 41 tons for [Page 1190] forwarding to interned Japanese citizens in the United States and Canada and that the American Government should inform the Soviet Government of its agreement to receive this cargo.
6.
In view of the character of the freight (small packages) and the consequent difficulty of transferring them from vessel to vessel it is not to be excluded that the vessel will be detained in the port of Nakhodka more than 3 days. In this connection, it is expedient that the appropriate American authorities responsible for the security of the passage of the Japanese vessel should be advised in advance concerning the possibility of such a delay of the Japanese vessel in the port of Nakhodka.

The People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs awaits a prompt reply to all the questions touched on herewith.”

Kennan
  1. In the preceding telegram, 4120, October 27, 1944, the Department was advised that the following supplies were on hand at Vladivostok for transshipment. Food, 1833 tons; medicines, 101 tons; clothing, 95 tons; packages, 29 tons; books, 15 tons; shoe repair material, 4 tons; cigarettes, 2 tons; recreational supplies, 1 ton. There were also 250 tons of British supplies, and 232 tons of Canadian supplies. (711.94114 Supplies/10–2744)↩
  2. T. Watanabe.↩
  3. Yakichiro Suma.↩