861.24/6–1145: Telegram
The Chief of the United States Military Mission in the Soviet Union (Deane) to the War Department
M 24647. To Protocol Committee (York) from Harriman: Ref War 14274 dated 9 June 1945.74 Please show to Clayton.
Spalding and I saw Mikoyan this afternoon in order to obtain latest information for your meeting tomorrow morning. He showed every disposition to attempt to give us as much information as possible as to why they needed the items on the May 28 list.
- 1.
- His first request is that the available shipping be filled to capacity during July and August. He said, “every day is precious.” I believe that it is vitally important to fulfill this request and strongly urge that in addition to annex III, items from the new list be ordered forward to fill these ships to capacity both for weight and measurement during this period.
- 2.
- He emphasized the need of trucks and hoped that shipment of all the trucks in annex III could be completed as soon as possible and in addition at least 7,000 trucks a month during July and August. I recommend that as many trucks as possible be shipped during this period as there can be no question that they will be of great value and save fail [rail?] transportation urgently needed for troops and other supplies.
- 3.
- He asked for maximum shipment of meat both as requested in annex III and in the new list. Although I explained the difficulty of the meat situation he insists on the importance of this request. There can be no doubt that the meat is needed if it can be made available.
- 4.
- He stated that the Army boots requested in annex III and the new list were of particular importance and he hoped that earliest possible delivery could be made. He said that the troops in that area had no replacement boots.
- 5.
- He explained that the request for items covering oil pipe, for borings, pumps, compressors, etc. was to develop the capacity of the Sakhalin Fields and to complete the Sakhalin pipeline from Sovisky to Komsomolsk. Additional oil production in this area and completion of the pipeline would undoubtedly be of great value. I therefore recommend acceptance of these items.
- 6.
- In explaining some of the other items he emphasized the importance of fulfilling the uncompleted Fourth Protocol shipments which are also included in the new list. He mentioned for example radio items and other equipment. He explained the need for radio stations because of the lack of communications in the very large area of the theater.
- 7.
- He explained the need for PBY75 aircraft not only for reconnaissance but for communication over the water route between the ports of Vladivostok, Sov[yetskaya] Gavan, Amur River ports, Sakhalin ports, Nagaevo and Kamchatka. I recommend approval if planes are available.
- 8.
- He emphasized the need for petroleum and other tanker products to the Far East and the blending agents including those from Abadan. He is very anxious that the Abadan product should be delivered over the Persian route.
- 9.
- He stated that all of the industrial equipment requested was for facilities in Siberia and emphasized the need of the port equipment both Naval and Merchant. I spoke of the length of time that it might take to deliver the equipment and he said he was ready to work out a credit arrangement for the portion unshipped at the termination of hostilities if we so desired.
- 10.
- I did not have the time to go over many of the other, items but he confirmed my opinion that the recommendations for approval of items we have made so far are sound under the conditions described above.
- 11.
- He said that all of the raw materials were necessary but he did not select any particular items of priority. I got the impression that he knew the list well and that the need for individual items had been carefully studied.
To sum up, I recommend that we keep shipments to the Far East at full capacity of the shipping available as long as these ports are open. I recognize that it will be desirable to make some adjustments to be effective when this route is closed. Before that time we should have more information on which to act.
Please telegraph if there is any information on particular items which you wish me to take up personally with Mikoyan.
I am sending Spalding to Washington leaving in the next few days to consult there and be of such assistance as he can in connection with the above. [Harriman.]