861.20/585a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in the Soviet Union (Hamilton)
934. 1. In order more closely to coordinate the work of the American military representatives in Moscow including those functions carried on by the American Supply Mission and to establish closer liaison between the Soviet and American military authorities, the President desires to appoint a Military Mission to be attached to the American Embassy and to work under the supervision of the Ambassador. The Mission will be headed by Major General John R. Deane who up to the present time has been U.S. Secretary of the Combined Chiefs of Staff in Washington. General Deane will be in a position to keep the appropriate Soviet authorities advised of current and future American strategic plans and developments. The functions now being performed by the American Supply Mission in Moscow will be coordinated in the Military Mission under the direction of Brigadier General Sidney Spalding, up to recently Assistant to the Executive of the Munitions Assignments Board, who will be appointed a member of the Mission and will replace General Faymonville. Brigadier General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, U.S. Army Air Force, will also be a member of the Mission to handle air matters. It is planned to appoint a Naval officer as a member of the Mission. It is proposed to recall the Military and Naval Attachés and not to appoint successors for the time being. Those members of the staff of the Military [Page 705] and Naval Attachés who remain in Moscow will be incorporated into the Mission. Those members of General Faymonville’s staff who remain in Moscow will also be incorporated into the Mission. A limited number of additional officers will be appointed as the need may arise.
It is the belief of the United States Government that the establishment and maintenance of a Military Mission in Moscow of the composition described above is essential for the proper handling of military, naval, and supply questions and will be a distinct contribution to the war effort. The Mission will be kept currently informed of all decisions and plans of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and of all supply questions and will thus be in a position to advise the Soviet Government in the premises.58
2. Please seek an immediate occasion to discuss this question with Molotov and to obtain the agreement of the Soviet Government to the establishment of such a Mission.59 If you so desire you may leave with him a memorandum on the question outlining the considerations set forth in section 1. You may explain to Molotov that Mr. Harriman desires Generals Deane, Spalding, and Vandenberg to proceed with him to Moscow. General Deane has already been designated by the President as Military Observer to the forthcoming conference. The acceptance of the Soviet Government of the Mission is therefore extremely urgent.
3. For your information: (a) It is thought best not to bring up the question of housing and office quarters for the Mission at this time but to postpone this matter until the Mission arrives in Moscow; (b) Faymonville and Michela are being recalled immediately and are being instructed to meet Mr. Harriman’s party in Cairo early in October.
- For the statement to the press on November 4 by Ambassador W. Averell Harriman on the establishment and work of this mission, see paragraphs 2–5 of his telegram No. 1837, November 4, p. 586.↩
- The Chargé saw Mr. Molotov at 1:30 a.m. on October 3 and carried out these instructions. Mr. Molotov undertook to discuss the proposals within the Soviet Government, and believed that the reply would be favorable. At his direction, Mr. Vyshinsky informed the Chargé during the evening of the same day that the establishment of this mission was acceptable.↩