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  3. Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The British Commonwealth, The Soviet Union, The Near East and Africa, Volume III
  4. Document 227

811.22761/20: Telegram

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

Washington , January 25, 1940—7 p.m.

54. Your 89, January 22, noon. As explained to the Soviet Ambassador on January 18: (1) The Army and Navy have the right to decide whether aliens will be permitted in plants manufacturing equipment for national defence; (2) The Wright plant is manufacturing such equipment and the Army and Navy requested that visits of foreigners to the plant be permitted only when necessary for the purchase of equipment; (3) The Soviet engineers excluded were not engaged in purchasing equipment; and (4) The Wright contract contained a provision to the effect that visits of Soviet technicians to the plant might be refused if disapproved by the United States Government.

A copy of memorandum of conversation will be transmitted by pouch.57

Hull
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