701.0061/67: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 3—3:05 p.m.]
1010. My 978, July 30, 5 p.m. Present indications are that Soviet authorities will begin moving Diplomatic Corps back to Moscow within a few days. This development raises question of giving notice on two houses leased by Embassy in Kuibyshev; also question of desirability of leaving consular office there provided Soviet Government should give its assent. While have some doubt of advisability of bringing up question of consular representation at this time and in particular of the continued usefulness of office in Kuibyshev, the [Page 559] Department may wish to give consideration to this aspect of matter. Instructions are requested.56
- Mr. Charles E. Bohlen of the Division of European Affairs in a memorandum of August 11, indicated that it was unlikely that Soviet policy would permit the retention of a consular establishment at Kuibyshev. Such would be of doubtful usefulness in any event, because Kuibyshev was “neither a seaport, an industrial center nor one of the larger cities of the Soviet Union”. He recommended the removal to Moscow of the entire Mission located in Kuibyshev. (701.0061/67) Instructions to this effect were sent to the Ambassador in telegram No. 698, August 16, 10 p.m. (125.0061/274).↩