701.6112/85

Memorandum by Mr. Charles E. Bohlen of the Division of European Afairs87

The appointment of Oumansky as Minister to Mexico88 appears to be more than merely a routine diplomatic assignment. Mr. Oumansky’s personality, method of doing business and general attitude towards the United States is sufficiently known to the Department to require no elaboration. He cannot under any circumstances be considered a friend of the United States.

His appointment to Mexico might be in connection with the fact that, according to available information, Mexico is the center for Comintern directed activities in the Western Hemisphere and in particular for the Communist controlled émigré, political groups such as the Freies Deutschland group.89

Since his return to the Soviet Union Oumansky, although still retaining a post in the Foreign Office, has been head of the Tass news agency and closely connected with the work of the Soviet Information Bureau. It may well be that his appointment as Minister to Mexico is more in connection with his recent work with Soviet publicity [Page 531] and propaganda institutions than with his past experience as a Soviet diplomat.90

He will undoubtedly while in Mexico utilize his left-wing contacts in the United States.

Charles E. Bohlen
  1. Addressed to the Acting Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Ather-ton), and to the Adviser on Political Relations (Dunn).
  2. The Soviet press for May 18 announced the appointment of Umansky as Minister to Mexico while retaining his former rank of Ambassador.
  3. Headquarters of this Free Germany group were in Mexico City. In 1943, Heinrich Mann, anti-Fascist German writer of Los Angeles, California, was honorary president; Ludwig Renn was president; and Paul Merker was secretary. See airgram No. A–34, November 24, 1:55 p.m., to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union, p. 602.
  4. In a memorandum of August 2, 1943, Philip W. Bonsal, Chief of the Division of the American Republics, requested Joseph F. McGurk, Assistant Chief of the Division, to bring to his attention any information regarding the activities of the Soviet Mission in Mexico. “The large size of this Mission and the small amount of legitimate business between Mexico and the Soviets renders it important that we keep close watch on these people. If necessary, please stimulate the Ambassador’s [George S. Messersmith] reporting.” (701.6112/103)