File No. 861.85/11
The Russian Ambassador (Bakhmeteff) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: Referring to the cablegrams from the American Consul in Vladivostok, regarding certain steamers of the Russian Volunteer Fleet, copies of which you kindly forwarded to me, I wish to bring to your attention that the boats mentioned, namely Nijni Novgorod, Kishinev and Toula, are part of the Volunteer Fleet steamers which were chartered on the 30 March to the United States Shipping Board. Therefore any disposal of these boats for Kamchatka service would necessitate a special arrangement with the United States Government.
Ordinarily these boats used to carry different supplies for the Kamchatka population, however the bulk of their cargo being salt, different implements and materials for the extensive fisheries of the northeast Asiatic coast. On their return voyage these boats brought back large amounts of salted fish and other products of the fisheries which, besides what was used for local consumation, was shipped from Vladivostok by rail to the interior of Russia.
Before considering any actual arrangements for providing the Kamchatka fisheries with necessary tonnage, it appears advisable to ascertain definitely to what measure the conditions prevailing at present in Russia affect the fisheries trade of the Russian Far East. The extent of actual operations which will take place during the coming season will depend on the amount of salt and other materials which can be provided in Vladivostok, on the labor market as well as on the storage capacities of the Vladivostok harbor, and especially on the transportation conditions of the Trans-Siberian Railroad.
It seems therefore desirable that the American Consul at Vladivostok should be directed to furnish specific data as to the real prospects of the fisheries trade for the coming season and would communicate the amount of tonnage actually required in the present conjuncture.
As to the S.S. Simferopol, detained at Manila, I beg leave to advise that this boat is a rather small vessel of less than two thousand tons deadweight. This boat could be utilized immediately for [Page 312] Kamchatka service, postponing general decisions until further information is available. As the Kamchatka cruises usually start early in May, I venture to suggest that the S. S. Simferopol be released from Manila at the earliest possible date and be directed to proceed to Vladivostok.
I avail [etc.]