861.404/572: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Hamilton) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 27—6:25 a.m.]
1894. I took up the question of Father Laberge’s visa with Vyshinski80 on May 25 (Department’s 1241, May 19, 5 [3] p.m.) and expressed the hope that the Soviet Government would find it possible to expedite favorable action.
I commented briefly on Father Orlemanski’s visit and the publication of Stalin’s letter along the lines set forth in the Department’s telegram. Vyshinski replied that the question of Father Laberge’s coming to the Soviet Union should not be considered in connection with the question of religion in the Soviet Union which was clearly defined by the Soviet Constitution but from the practical point of view of whether his presence in Moscow as assistant to Father Braun was needed. He indicated that he would look into the matter.
- Andrey Yanuaryevich Vyshinsky, First Assistant People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.↩