711.94114 Mail/4–2345: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union ( Kennan ) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 23—2:58 p.m.]
1315. ReDeptel 913, April 19, 6 p.m. Before approaching Soviet authorities we would be glad to know whether Japanese Government has agreed to accept these additional shipments of POW parcels. It will be recalled that arrangements for shipments of POW and civilian internee mail via Tehran for transshipment through the Soviet Union and delivery to Japanese authorities were held up last year because of Soviet requirement that first an agreement on this subject had to be reached between the Governments of United States and Japan (reEmbtel 1219, April 8, 1944, 11 a.m.44).
Please advise also how it is planned to ship the parcels—via freight or via the ordinary postal facilities of the three countries. If the latter, then under what classification of mail will they be sent?
The Consul General at Vladivostok is being requested to furnish any information he may have as to routes used by Soviets in forwarding POW mail to Japan from that port. If he cannot give any precise data a note will be addressed to the Foreign Office requesting the information.