740.62114/12–2944
Memorandum of Telephone Conversation, by Mr. E. Tomlin Bailey of the Special War Problems Division
Colonel Rogers telephoned to say that a transport of 500 Soviet nationals left Rupert yesterday for a west coast port and a similar number left today. The Soviet colonel at Rupert told the military authorities there yesterday just before the departure of the group that he had received word from Washington that the shipment was not to [Page 1273] take place. About an hour later he reported that he had received new instructions from Washington that the shipment was to go forward. Among the 1100 men sent to the ship about 70 did not want to go. These 70 men had, however, previously claimed Soviet nationality. Three of them attempted suicide, one by hanging, one by stabbing himself, and one by hitting his head against a beam in one of the barracks. In the end the three men have departed for the port.