511.614/4–450: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
1033. Translation:1 As Embassy USA knows, sale of magazine Amerika in USSR since 1944 has been conducted and continues to be conducted by trade organization “Soyuzpechat”. Magazine Amerika is sold at present time, as in previous years, in numerous Kiosks of “Soyuzpechat” in more than 70 cities of USSR, including Vladivostok, particularly mentioned in letter Mr. Barbour. Thus observation of Embassy on change methods distribution magazine Amerika is lacking in any foundation.
Embassy already has been informed that recently fall in demand on part Soviet readers for magazine has been observed, in regard which Soyuzpechat “is compelled to return to publisher unsold copies magazine in order not to suffer loss. It is clear, however, that Ministry cannot have influence for increasing demand on part Soviet citizens for magazine Amerika.[”]
Respecting matter price magazine, that entirely within competence Embassy.
In his letter Mr. Barbour also refers question of conditions of distribution information bulletin Embassy USSR Washington and asserts that bulletin is allegedly freely distributed in US. This assertion, however, is contrary to facts showing that officials USA systematically put obstacles in path distribution information bulletin Reports of such facts have been published even in American press.
Sent Department 1033, Department pass London 130. Pass to Saunders INP New York.
- This is the translation of the note of March 31 from Minister of Foreign Affairs Vyshinsky with the omission of unessential words. The complete translation was sent as despatch 407, from Moscow on April 6; not printed.↩