511.6121/8–2850
Memorandum by the Second Secretary of the Embassy in the Soviet Union (Collins) to the Chief of Soyuzpechat (Ramsin)1
1. Since Soviet Ministry for Foreign Affairs in its letter of June 20, 1950 has characterized the present maldistribution of Amerika as a purely commercial problem (and has asserted there is no limitation on the free sale of Amerika), the Embassy desires to take up with Soyuzpechat the question of improving distribution and sales promotion methods.
2. The Embassy specifically desires to discuss planning for more effective newsstand sale with Soyuzpechat. For example, although there are many hundreds of newsstands in Moscow, the magazine in recent months has been seen only on twenty, all of which are located in the center of the city. Inspection at many newsstands have shown that Amerika was not and had never been on sale. Obviously a wider distribution in Moscow would aid sales. The Embassy also believes; that many citizens of Leningrad for example, are interested in obtaining [Page 1236] the magazine, but recent observers there have determined that only those who chance to patronize the stands in Intourist Hotels, Astoria Hotel and Europa Hotel, have an occasional opportunity to buy it. Similarly, purchasers in such cities as Kharkov, Erevan and Riga should be given the opportunity to purchase the magazine on a broad distribution basis.
3. In its desire to assist Soyuzpechat in all possible ways, the Embassy is willing to accept returns of unsold copies. The Embassy proposes to utilize these copies to acquaint a wider circle of persons in the Soviet Union with Amerika in accord with established sales promotion practices. Courtesy distribution will be made to officials and to cultural organizations, libraries and other institutions which might be interested in placing subscriptions.
4. Future issues of Amerika will carry display advertising informing readers about articles which will appear in subsequent editions, where and how copies may be purchased, and how subscriptions may be obtained.
5. The Embassy will furnish Pravda, Izvestiya and Trud and other papers in various parts of the USSR with similar advertisements to be published by them.
6. The Embassy also desires to cooperate with Soyuzpechat in providing attractive placards or posters and otherwise improving display techniques. It has been noted that copies of Amerika are often poorly displayed on stands that carry them and even on occasion concealed beneath counters or under piles of other publications.
7. The Embassy is prepared to assist Soyuzpechat by accepting subscriptions directly.
- The original of this memorandum was left by the Second Secretary of Embassy Ralph S. Collins with Pëtr Borisovich Ramsin, the head of Soyuzpechat. A copy was enclosed in despatch 57 from Moscow on August 28, 1950. (511.6121/8–2850) This memorandum included the contents of the seven points sent by the Department of State in its telegram 60 on July 20, not printed. The Department declared that its purpose “is to improve record of Sov[iet] sabotage and obtain specific refusals to our suggestions since naturally little expectation any such suggestions will be accepted in good faith.” (511.6121/6–2350)↩