861.51/2869
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Officers 88
Sirs: According to available information, the Soviet Government has about forty million dollars at its disposal in the United States. Moreover, it is the opinion of observers that the Soviet Government has an accumulation of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of gold in the Soviet Union. It is probable that, regardless of what the outcome of the war may be, the Soviet governing officials will wish to keep intact at least some of their gold hoardings for use in connection with activities outside of Russia in the future.
In view of the situation outlined above, you are requested to observe with the utmost care any transaction coming to your attention which may involve the use of Soviet funds, since there is a likelihood that under cover of ostensible commercial transactions the Soviet authorities may endeavor to lay aside substantial sums for themselves and for their future work in this hemisphere.89
Very truly yours,
- Sent to all diplomatic missions in the other American Republics, to the Embassy in Tokyo, to the Legations in Australia and Canada, and to the United States High Commissioner in the Philippines.↩
- The Treasury Department on April 25, 1941, had reported information that balances of the Soviet Government in New York banks were being rapidly depleted, with large sums being transferred to banks in Switzerland and Sweden, among other places.↩