Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The British Commonwealth, Eastern Europe, the Far East, Volume III

861.24/1620: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, August 11, 1943—9 a.m.
[Received 7:55 p.m.]

1046. For Stettinius from Faymonville.

1. Continuing discussion of convoy routes Commissar says that Soviet Government is most anxious to utilize favorable autumn conditions for inward shipments through north Russian ports. He again refers to Churchill’s promise to resume northern shipping in September and believes that this promise must have been made in accordance with the desires and plans of the United States Government. Commissar says he has heard of no preparations for northern convoys such as would be expected in August if deliveries are to begin through northern routes in September. He strongly emphasized the extreme need for northern deliveries and believes that time is already ripe for taking practical steps to assure September deliveries through north Russia.²⁴

2. Discussing shipments through Soviet Far East Commissar says that monthly tonnage 275,000 would be possible if shipping conditions were normal. But obstacles interposed by Japan, other causes of delay, and desirability of delivering cargo at several Soviet ports make shipping conditions abnormal. Commissar feels that August freight program may fail because of lack of ships and has instructed General Belyaev to ask for transfer of four or five additional ships during August. He asks your approval and support for this request.

3. Great need for alcohol was pointed out by Commissar. Alcohol needed immediately for munitions industry. Belyaev has asked for alcohol for tankers Apsheron and Moskva but has received reply that insufficient storage tanks exist on west coast to permit transfer of this quantity of alcohol. Commissar understands that desired quantity of alcohol actually exists and that you approve delivery. He therefore urgently requests that practical means of getting alcohol into tankers be devised in order to permit delivery of these highly necessary stocks. [Faymonville.]

Standley

24. For references to background information on the northern and other sea routes to the Soviet Union, see footnotes 41 and 55, pp. 740 and 745, respectively.