861.22711/3: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:45 p.m.]
1409. In sharp contrast to the condition which has prevailed during the past 2 years the Military and Assistant Military Attachés of [Page 234] this Mission were taken yesterday by the liaison officer of the Commissariat for Defense on a tour of inspection of an aviation technical school in the vicinity of Moscow where they were shown every consideration and apparently afforded full facilities for observation. Furthermore, Major Yeaton and Captain Michela17 have been invited by the Commissariat for Defense to visit Leningrad on October 30 as the guests of the Commissariat for the purpose of visiting and inspecting a military school and an infantry and artillery regiment now stationed there. Although I am informed that the Military Attachés of other nations will be taken on similar visits and in consequence the change of attitude towards the Military Attachés of this Embassy appears to be a general policy of the Soviet military authorities it is of some interest that these courtesies have first been extended to the Attachés of this Mission. I am of the opinion that the courtesies, limited though they may be, about to be extended to the American Military Attachés reflects the desire of the Soviet authorities to overcome the unfavorable impression heretofore created by the absolute denial to our Military Attachés of access of military establishments, and refusal of information concerning them, which has now extended over a period of 2 years, and to prepare the ground for courtesies about to be requested in Washington in connection with the American rearmament program.
- Joseph A. Michela, Assistant Military Attaché in the Soviet Union.↩