861.24/1217: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Dooman) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 29—9:45 a.m.]
557. 1. I discussed with Roullard (Assistant Naval Attaché) who returned recently to Archangel from Moscow, conditions at the several northern Soviet ports relating to the discharging of cargo from American vessels. Although mindful of the probability that such conditions were given special consideration during the recent visit to the United States of the Ambassador, I feel that it may be helpful to the Department to know of impressions received by me from Roullard along with other American officials who have been at the northern ports.
2. The Soviet authorities express themselves as being not satisfied with the rate at which cargo is discharged and with the condition of much of the cargo when delivered to them. The British personnel stationed at the ports and the Soviet port authorities jointly arrange for the berthing of American vessels, while the preparing of such vessels for unloading devolves upon their masters, the actual unloading being carried out by the port authorities. Thus the responsibility for delay in unloading and for any damage to cargo is shared in varying degrees by all three parties. As the Department is aware, Commander Frankel78 was sent to Archangel in the first instance for naval intelligence work and subsequently to render assistance to naval ratings assigned to American merchant vessels. I understand that it was after consultation with the Embassy and General Faymonville that he (and later Roullard) has occupied himself with facilitating and expediting the discharge of cargoes from American vessels. Delay frequently arises through failure on the part of ship’s personnel to complete preparations for unloading (such as putting the ship’s winches in order) or work customarily done by ship’s crew and not by the stevedores. Our naval officers intervene in such cases for the purpose of alleviating difficulties raised by refractory seamen which impede the expeditious transfer of cargo from ship to dock. General [Page 757] Faymonville has expressed to me in unqualified terms his high appreciation of the invaluable assistance which has been and is being rendered by these officers.
3. These naval officers are not of course trained and experienced in the unloading of vessels. In order that their presence at the northern ports can be used to the utmost advantage I recommend that the representative at the Persian Gulf ports of the War Shipping Administration be requested at his earliest convenience to visit the northern Soviet ports for the purpose of inspecting shipping conditions there and advising the naval officers on shipping matters. If affirmative decision is taken I suggest that we be informed as far in advance of his contemplated departure as possible to give us sufficient time to procure authorization for visa and for travel to the ports.
4. One matter which is giving us concern is the friction which exists between the Soviet authorities and the British shore personnel. Our officers have been scrupulous to avoid becoming involved in issues between the British and Russians but the desire of each of the two parties for American support and understanding inevitably affects the relations of the officers with both. Information at hand indicates that the friction is in large measure caused by the failure of the British personnel to study to avoid unnecessarily injuring Soviet susceptibilities. Cases cited to me are the habitual failure of British personnel arriving at Soviet port for shore duty to register, as required, with the local authorities, and the bringing of mail ashore without conforming to prescribed procedure. Apart from the fact that such friction is undesirable and generally unnecessary and avoidable its presence prejudices the speedy handling of American vessels for the same reason that the berthing of such vessels lies solely with the British and the Russians. I have not broached the subject even informally to Admiral Miles,79 head of the British Mission at Moscow, largely because of the return shortly of the Ambassador, but I trust that the Department will agree with me that conditions, especially friction over trivialities, which prejudice complete cooperation essential to the speedy delivery of materials to the Soviet Government should be eliminated.
5. It is highly desirable, in line with the Ambassador’s endorsement (see Embassy’s 221, June 30, 8 p.m.80) of the recommendation of the Naval Attaché that additional naval personnel be sent to the northern ports for the handling and caring of [for] American merchant seamen, that at least two junior naval officers be assigned as soon as practicable. The Acting Naval Attaché concurs.