Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, Europe, Volume III

861.24/1155: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Henderson) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, November 5, 1942—4 p.m.
[Received November 6—6:30 a.m.]

431. From Faymonville for Stettinius.

1. On the following two subjects concerning shipping, Commissar⁵⁶ states that Soviet Government is anxious and alarmed. He asks your immediate help on remedial measures.

2. First: The Soviet Government is very appreciative of the President’s offer to transfer ships for North Pacific runs.⁵⁷ However, the help thus offered will be of little effect unless some ships can be made available immediately to counterbalance the regrettably low shipping figures to north Russian ports. The Soviet Government hopes to secure from the President’s offer 20 additional ships which could make two runs from our west coast to Vladivostok before ice conditions close the Straits of La Pérouse. Last winter ships attempting the Straits of La Pérouse about January 15 were seriously damaged by ice and Commissar hopes that the last of the additional ships now offered will have been dispatched from our west coast by December 15. If inconvenient to deliver ships on west coast Soviet Government would be glad to accept some or all on east coast. Soviet crews are available to be sent at once to receive ships. At least 150,000 tons of cargo in approximately 20 ships is highly necessary as a minimum on this route before mid-winter.

3. Second: Commissar states that Soviet Government is extremely dissatisfied with shipping situation at Portland, Oregon. He considers that port facilities at Portland are inadequate for the volume of Soviet freight offered and that stevedores are less skilled than at other ports and are fewer than required. Furthermore, large ships are not practicable on the Portland run. Commissar understands that only about 50,000 tons can be handled at one time in port and in the surrounding approaches. But since Soviet cargoes of various kinds from various eastern points must be assembled at Portland before appropriate cargoes can be selected for the medium and small size ships used from Portland it is necessary to warehouse temporarily at Portland many thousand tons of Soviet freight awaiting shipment. Commissar understands that embargo has been imposed on future shipments to Portland and protests that unless additional Soviet freight, amounting to about 100,000 tons to accomplish normal loading, is shipped to Portland, urgently needed cargoes, especially spare parts, aluminum, and certain food products, cannot be selected properly from sorting yards. Commissar considers that about 50% reserve freight tonnage must be available as [at?] port at all times awaiting arrival of ships in order to prevent delays in loading. As a remedy Commissar hopes you can secure at least partial use of an additional west coast port and suggests Seattle. This need will be especially acute if the President makes available the additional ships for north Pacific Soviet shipments. Request you cable me what steps will be taken to assist. [Faymonville.]

Henderson

56. A. I. Mikoyan, People’s Commissar for Foreign Trade.
57. President Roosevelt had assured Stalin in his message of October 12 (p. 733) that “20 merchant ships for use in the Pacific are being made available to you.”