125.977/12–645: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 68:32 a.m.]
4071. ReDepts 2442, December 3. Despite difficulties experienced by Clubb in Vladivostok I consider it definitely desirable that we [Page 1172] continue to maintain a small establishment there of one officer and one American clerk. I do not consider that any substantial improvement in working conditions for our personnel at Vladivostok could be brought about by representations in Moscow and I feel that American personnel stationed there must be prepared to be confined to the city, isolated from Soviet population and held under strict police observation during period of service in that city.
If we are to continue to maintain this establishment, however, I would urge that this Mission be given blanket authority to staff Vladivostok establishment by detailing members of the Moscow Mission for service at that post at and for such times as it may see fit without reference to the Dept. I consider it essential to the successful operation of the Vladivostok office that persons asked to serve there should have complete confidence that their service will be of definitely limited duration and that they will be punctually relieved at the end of that period and I think it easier for the Embassy to arrange this by disposal of its own personnel here than for the Dept to attempt to assure these conditions by action from Washington. It is a desirable experience for our younger officers for limited period of 3 to 6 months.