138 U.S.S.R./605a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt)
869. Since the receipt of your 120 of February 1, noon, the Department has been issuing no passports valid for travel to the Soviet Union except to American government officials, in certain instances to accredited newspaper correspondents, and to fur buyers who have built up a business based on Russian purchases. We are now considering the advisability of resuming the issuance of passports to American engineers proceeding under contract to various parts of the Soviet Union since we understand from your 1645 of November 29, 7 p.m., that the treatment of American citizens in the Soviet Union has improved considerably. The Department would like to have your views before a final decision is taken.
The Soviet Ambassador is calling on Mr. Welles on Monday afternoon, December 16. If there are any matters which you wish Mr. Welles to discuss with the Ambassador please include them with your recommendations relative to passports.