125.977/26: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in the Soviet Union ( Thurston )
377. Unless you perceive some objection thereto, you are instructed to call upon the appropriate officials of the Commissariat for Foreign Affairs and to make a statement along the following lines:
“My Government for some time has been giving consideration to the advisability of opening a consular office in Vladivostok. Under existing conditions it is inclined to the view that certain advantages might be derived from the establishment of such an office in the immediate future. Before making any final decision in the matter it would like to have a frank statement from the Soviet Government regarding its views since the full cooperation of the Soviet Government and Soviet officials would appear to be essential to the successful functioning of a consular office of the United States in the Soviet Far East.”
It is also suggested, unless you perceive some objection thereto, that following your conversation you leave an aide-mémoire with the Commissariat containing the substance of the above statement.
In case Soviet officials should endeavor to discuss the matter with you in more detail, you may point out that the advantages to both Governments of the establishing of such an office should be obvious; that, for instance, it seems likely that for some time to come communications across Europe between the Soviet Union and the United States will be difficult. During the course of your conversation, however, it should be made clear that we have no desire to persuade the Soviet Government against its will to permit the establishment of such a consular office, or to seek permission for the opening of such an office as a special favor.