811.917 “America”/4–2849: Airgram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kohler) to the Secretary of State
A–439. For INP. The letter by Johnstone, former editor of “British Ally,” denouncing that journal and British policy in general [Page 610] (Embtel 1027, April 251), while appearing to have no direct implications for the future of Amerika magazine, offers an occasion for the Embassy to re-state its views.
It seems likely that, once the Soviet authorities decide to get rid of Amerika, they will do so in short order, regardless of what policy we pursue.2 That they must make this decision sooner or later is probable in the light of the ever-growing campaign against all Western influences and of the general pattern of Communist strategy. Our policy should obviously aim at delaying such a decision. For this reason the Embassy seeks to avoid any steps which might cause the question; of abolishing Amerika to be raised at high levels in the Soviet hierarchy. Thus, for example, we have not followed up the hint from Soyuzpechat3 about a possible reduction in price (Embdesp. 709, October 1, 19484), despite the fact that lowering the price would undoubtedly increase Amerika’s popularity.
Meanwhile Amerika continues to face the normal hazards of survival in the Soviet environment. Though neither the Bucar book or the Johnstone letter have so far scared any of the alien staff into quitting, the fact remains that some sudden event is ever capable of depriving us of their services without warning. For this reason the Embassy believes it prudent to continue efforts which have been under way for some time to build up an adequate translating staff for the New York office. The Embassy’s participation in this task has been slowed by circumstances beyond its control, which themselves reflect the difficulties and relatively precarious nature of the translation operation here. However, the Embassy is steadily pressing forward with the screening of trial translations and hopes that the Department will do all it can to expedite adequate security checks of persons found qualified, and immigration of those found both qualified and dependable.
In connection with the Johnstone affair, the Embassy has subsequently [Page 611] learned that the Russian staff of “British Ally” turned up for work with unusual promptness on Monday morning following the publication of Johnstone’s letter, and far from showing anxiety looked quite pleased with life. The British interpreted this as indicating that the Russians had been tipped off by the MVD to stay on the job.
- Not printed; it reported that Archibald Johnston had resigned as the chief editor of British Ally [Britansky Soyuznik], declared his intention to remain in the Soviet Union, and had circulated a letter criticizing the publication. (841.61/4–2549)↩
- Just the day before the Embassy had suggested to the Department of State in telegram 1073 that the decline in sales of recent issues was a bad sign for the future of Amerika.(811.917 America/4–2849) In telegram 1216 of May 12 the Embassy attributed part of this loss to the relatively high cost of the magazine upon the limited purchasing power of the people, and their fear of American contacts. (811.917 America/5–1249) Later in the year, in airgram A–1059 of October 22, and in despatch No. 640 of November 1, wonder was expressed whether current attacks on Amerika in the press might not be affecting its might itself be a reflection of the effectiveness of the magazine in presenting a true picture of that way of life to readers in the Soviet Union. (811.917 America/10–2449 and 11–149)↩
- Soyuzpechat was the Administration for the Distribution of Printed Matter in the Soviet Union.↩
- Not printed.↩