861.404/5–2645: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
Washington, July 3,
1945—5 p.m.
1506. ReEmbs 1768, May 26, 9 p.m.3 Rev. G. Antonio Laberge has made application for Soviet visa in Washington on basis of proceeding to Moscow as a successor to Father Braun.4 Soviet Embassy informed that Father Braun will leave Moscow after Father Laberge has been properly installed. Catholic authorities suggest that 60 days be allowed for this purpose. Please take appropriate steps to encourage approval of Father Laberge’s visa application and of overlapping period desired.
Byrnes
- Not printed.↩
- The Apostolic Delegate, the Most Reverend Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, in a letter of June 11 explained the intentions of the Catholic authorities toward the replacement of Father Braun and noted that so far Father Laberge had been unable to start because the Soviet Government had not granted a visa. In a reply on June 18, Acting Secretary Joseph C. Grew advised that Father Laberge should make a new application at the Soviet Embassy, pointing out that he would be going as successor to Father Braun. Then the Department of State would be glad to use its good offices to expedite the issuance of the visa. (861.404/6–1145)↩