761.56/11–2150
The Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Thorp) to the Secretary of the Navy (Matthews)
My Dear Mr. Secretary: The receipt is acknowledged of the letter dated November 21, 1950 signed by the Acting Secretary of the Navy referring to the two United States icebreakers acquired by the U.S.S.R. under the lend-lease program in 1944–1945 and still retained by the U.S.S.R. despite repeated attempts of this Department to bring about their return to the Government of the United States.
[Page 1335]I have noted the Acting Secretary’s proposal that this Department continue its efforts towards recovery of the icebreakers by making further representations to the U.S.S.R. concerning the present whereabouts of the two icebreakers so that consideration can be given by the Department of the Navy to the possibility of accepting the vessels at their present location. As you know, this Department has proposed to the U.S.S.R. that negotiations for an over-all settlement of its lend-lease account, including the disposition of all naval vessels in the light of the provisions of Article V of the Master Lend-Lease Agreement, be resumed on January 15, 1951. This Department has received a note from the Soviet Embassy accepting this date and indicating that Ambassador Panyushkin and Mr. N. K. Grigorev would conduct these negotiations and also that Rear Admiral N. A. Piterski has been officially designated by the Soviet Government to participate in the discussions concerning the naval vessels.
I am keenly aware of the importance which the Navy attaches to the prompt return of these icebreakers and, during the forthcoming discussions, I shall make very clear to the Soviet representatives the United States Government’s desire for the immediate return of these vessels. In the meantime, a note is being sent to the Soviet Government requesting specific information as to the whereabouts and condition of these icebreakers.
You will recall that these icebreakers were mentioned briefly during our discussion at your office on December 15. At that time Mr. Murphy stated his understanding that the Department of the Navy had, through Commander Davis, indicated that the Navy was not at this time prepared to concur in a request to the Soviet Government for information as to the present location of the icebreakers and also an offer to send United States Naval personnel to take over the vessels. Since neither Mr. Murphy nor I had knowledge of the Acting Secretary’s letter of November 21 at the time of our discussion at your office, I fear that an erroneous impression of this Department’s understanding of the Navy’s position in this respect may have been conveyed to you. The Acting Secretary’s letter sets forth clearly the Navy’s position and I shall be glad to proceed accordingly when I meet with the Soviets beginning January 15, 1951.
Sincerely yours,