861.20211/67
The Under Secretary of State (Welles) to President Roosevelt
My Dear Mr. President: Since I know of your deep interest in the matter of the activities in this country of foreign agents, I am bringing particularly to your attention the attached telegram of November 5, 1940 from Mr. Steinhardt.22 You will note from this telegram that Mr. Steinhardt is of the opinion that the Soviet Government is endeavoring to enlist as its agents in the United States persons immigrating to the United States from territory under Soviet control, and that it follows the practice of extracting promises to engage in espionage from such persons before granting them permits to depart. This is the first information which the Department has received that places under suspicion all persons emigrating from the Soviet Union to this country. Heretofore the Department has endeavored to prevent the issuance of visas to persons suspected of intending to come to this country to act as espionage agents, and if discovered after entry, to place them under investigation. In view of the instant communication from Mr. Steinhardt the Department will transmit to the appropriate agencies of this Government such information as it may succeed in obtaining which would cause any group of immigrants [Page 237] to fall under suspicion of coming to this country to act as Soviet agents.
Faithfully yours,