740.6114/11–1144: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kennan) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 12—2:15 p.m.]
4330. Articles concerning repatriation of Soviet war prisoners and civilians from Western Europe repeated in my immediately preceding telegram83 confirm indications of past few days that Soviet press has begun campaign on this subject which is evidently intended to effect speediest possible return to Soviet Union of Soviet citizens in western Europe. There is apparently a fear here that such persons may become a source of trouble if they are not repatriated at first opportunity and that prestige of Soviet Union will suffer if it becomes generally known that some Soviet citizens are not accepting with enthusiasm offers of repatriation.
Embassy Secretary Melby84 who returned today from trip to Murmansk where lie witnessed arrival of first batch of repatriated Soviet prisoners from England reports that they were first welcomed at the docks with a brass band and then marched off under heavy armed guard to an unknown destination.
Repeated London 257, Rome 23, and Paris 15.