861.33/8
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The Soviet Ambassador called at his request. He said that his Government desired to transfer six submarines from Vladivostok to Russian ports in the Archangel–Murmansk area, and that they would have to come through the Panama Canal, stopping at given places within the United States jurisdiction in order to replenish supplies, et cetera, et cetera. He said he desired to inquire if it would be agreeable with this Government to cooperate in getting these submarines through the Canal and also in furnishing supplies wherever it might be deemed necessary for the submarines to put into port.
I replied without hesitation that I was sure that everyone in this Government would be delighted to cooperate in every feasible respect and that I would see that this request of his Government was given prompt attention.53
Some reference was made to the Japanese-Siberian situation and the Ambassador promptly spoke with confidence and said that he did not think there was any probability of an attack on Siberia.
- The Navy Department expressed its agreement in a letter of September 14, 1942, from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, and the War Department did likewise in a letter of September 15 from Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson (861.3311/46, 45).↩