Office of the Historian

511.6121/8–2550: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State

secret
Moscow, August 25, 1950—7 p. m.

516. Deptel 124, August 11.1 Notes to Foreign Office presented today2 also proposals submitted to Ramsin Soyuzpechat in interview lasting half hour.

[Page 1237]
1.
On Embassy observation that few of many Moscow kiosk really carried Amerika magazine, Ramsin stated Embassy should submit specific instances so that he could investigate. As to Leningrad he stated that several thousand copies were sent there for distribution.
2.
On proposed distribution to cultural organizations, stated that question did not concern Soyuzpechat since it did not engage in distribution free materials. Matter concerned Foreign Offices or Voks.3
3.
Ramsin stated display advertising in magazine was matter of concern only to editors.
4.
Submission of advertisements to newspapers was matter relating only to papers concerned. Ramsin assumed it was known that Pravda and Izvestiya carried no advertisements.
5.
Ramsin stated proposed placards or posters for display at kiosks would have to be seen before any judgment could be made on their acceptability.
6.
Ramsin thought direct subscriptions were inadvisable and would not be successful. In first place reader would find no advantage in subscribing when magazine available at kiosks. Secondly irregular appearance of magazine made subscriptions impractical. On last point Embassy expressed hope that magazine would soon be on regular schedule and that issue 41 was being delivered today.

Ramsin was asked about reports from kiosks that issue 40 was sold out. He stated there were no reports yet on sale of that issue but anyhow it’s-possible that magazine had sold out in Moscow but not in other cities.

Only promotions suggestion Embassy did not present was proposal re stand in front of Mokhovaya4 and trusts Department concurs this omission.

Kirk
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. One note, No. 150 presented to Minister of Foreign Affairs Vyshinsky on August 25, is not printed. This note was in reply to the remarks made by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Gromyko in his letter of June 20 on earlier proposals for cultural and scientific cooperation between the United States and the Soviet Union. Ambassador Kirk wrote at the conclusion of note No. 150: “My Government must therefore reiterate the affirmation contained in my letter of May 26 that the Soviet Government has shown disappointing lack of interest in developing cultural interchange as a path toward peace and international understanding.” (511.6121/8–2850)↩
  3. The All-Union Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries.↩
  4. This was at the location of the chancery and residence building at 13/15 Mokhovaya Street in Moscow.↩