711.94114 Supplies/1–445
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador of the Soviet Union (Gromyko)23
Excellency: On November 9, following the departure of the Hakusan Maru from Nakhodka carrying relief supplies which had been sent to Vladivostok from the United States intended for distribution to American and other Allied prisoners of war and civilian internees in Japanese custody, the American Embassy at Moscow addressed a note to the Soviet Foreign Office expressing the hope that the Soviet Government would extend permission for the continued use of the port of Nakhodka for additional operations of this nature.24 It is, of course, necessary that this Government know whether further transfers of relief supplies may be effected at this or an equally conveniently situated Soviet Pacific port before the necessary steps can be taken to arrange with the Japanese Government for the onward carriage of further shipments of this character.
I am sure that you are aware of the concern felt by the American people for the welfare of American nationals in Japanese custody and their desire that needed supplies be sent regularly to supplement the inadequate Japanese issue of food, clothing, and medicines. The other Allied nations concerned are equally anxious to establish a means by which regular shipments of relief supplies to the Far East may be made. Since the feasibility of operations of this nature seems to have been demonstrated by the apparently satisfactory manner in which the recent transfer was effected at Nakhodka, this Government is confident that the Soviet Government will be willing to permit further operations of the same nature.
Thus far, according to the Department’s records, no reply has been received by the Embassy at Moscow to the above-mentioned note of November 9. I should be grateful for such action as you may see fit to take in the matter with a view to expediting a reply to the Embassy’s request. Since some time must necessarily be consumed in making arrangements for the Japanese Government to pick up further shipments at a Soviet Pacific port and in transporting supplies from this country to the transfer point, it is hoped that your Government will give an early favorable reply to this request in order that the interval [Page 1198] between the recent shipment and the next shipment may not be unduly long.
This question is one which is close to the hearts of a large number of the American people. The Soviet Government may be assured of their deep gratitude for its continued cooperation in making possible further shipments to the Far East of relief supplies so desperately needed by Allied nationals in Japanese custody.
Accept [etc.]
- A copy of this note was sent on the same day to the British Embassy with the suggestion that “In view of the British interest in this question your Government may wish to make representations to the Soviet Government along somewhat similar lines with a view to expediting a decision on this question.” (711.94114 Supplies/1–445)↩
- The instruction to the Embassy in the Soviet Union to make this approach to the Soviet Government had been sent in telegram 2551, October 28, p. 1190; see also footnote 12, p. 1191.↩