311.6121 Gorin, M. N./54
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Henderson)
The Soviet Ambassador asked me today to bring urgently to the attention of Mr. Welles certain unexpected developments in the Gorin [Page 942] case. He said that Judge Jenny, who is sitting on the bench in the absence of the trial Judge who appears to be ill, felt that he should not release Gorin on probation and a promise to leave the United States until after he had discussed the matter with the trial Judge. The trial Judge has taken the position that he sees no reason why the sentence which he pronounced two years ago should not be carried out. The lawyers for Gorin tell the Ambassador that they are sure that if the Department of Justice will give stronger instructions to the United States Attorney and if the United States Attorney will press Judge Jenny somewhat more strongly in the matter than he has, Judge Jenny will follow the suggestions which have been made by the Department of Justice.
The Ambassador added that the vessel on which it is hoped that Mr. Gorin can travel will sail on the 21st of March, and therefore if the matter is pressed at once, it might be possible still to get him off on that ship. The Ambassador also pointed out that the trial Judge is a recent appointee of this Administration and should therefore be more susceptible to pressure from the Department of Justice than Judge Jenny, who is an old trial Judge. I ignored this remark.