711.61/854: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:10 p.m.]
203. I am convinced that much good could be accomplished in the development of good will and understanding between the United States and the Soviet Union by making available technical, educational and propaganda moving picture films to the Russians as well as by the regular display of these and outstanding American commercial pictures and newsreels by the Embassy in Kuibyshev and Moscow.
Pan American Airways already has a weekly plane service to Tehran and I am informed that the Soviet Government will shortly be operating a weekly service to connect Kuibyshev and Moscow with this Pan American Air Service in Tehran. I feel certain that a regular periodic film exchange through this our [air?] route into Russia could be arranged. I therefore recommend as follows:
- 1.
- The immediate inauguration of a regular shipment of such films to the Embassy by air with an indication in each case as to whether the film may be turned over to the appropriate Soviet agency outright or on loan, or whether it should be shown only by the Embassy.
- 2.
- The appointment of a qualified official to supervise and develop such a program in the United States and who would be available to come to Russia. In this connection I recommend Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Lieutenant Junior Grade, now on duty in the Public Relations Office of the Navy Department who appears to have all the necessary qualifications and could be assigned as Assistant Naval Attaché.
- 3.
- I consider it highly important that such films be made available only through the Embassy in order that a careful check be made of their suitability and to assist the Embassy in developing contacts with Soviet officials. Army and Navy films could be distributed through the Military and Naval Attachés and other films either through the Commissariat for Foreign Affairs or whenever practicable direct to the most appropriate Soviet agency.
- 4.
- The British have been supplying the Soviets with propaganda films for some time and although few of these have been shown to the general public I understand that many high Soviet officials have been reached through private showings. I believe that with judicious handling a wider distribution of our pictures can be obtained. It is possible that the Soviet authorities will propose an exchange of films and I believe that we should be prepared to accept and make use of such Soviet films as are suitable.
- 5.
- I have requested the Naval Attaché98 to ask for the assignment of an electrician to the Embassy as in any event one is needed here, and I am submitting in a separate telegram a list of spare parts needed for the projection machines in Spaso house which while of obsolete type are useable. While I believe that it will be possible to arrange for the use of a projection room in Kuibyshev for the display of such pictures, I consider the development of this program to be of sufficient importance as to justify the sending of new machines to Kuibyshev for use there and eventually for the replacement of the machines now in Moscow.
- Capt., later Rear Adm., Jack Harlan Duncan.↩