811.003 Wallace, Henry A./43: Telegram

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

[Extract]57

1020. Department has just received details of Vice President Wallace’s proposed trip through Soviet Union. (Department’s 979, April 20.58)

He plans to leave Fairbanks about June 1 but it is possible that the whole trip may be advanced by a few days.

. . . . . . .

The Vice President has indicated that in connection with his interest in agricultural matters he is very desirous of visiting agricultural [Page 962] colleges, institutions and experimental stations. He has asked that you indicate to the Soviets his desire to visit such institutions in order that they may make certain suggestions in connection with his itinerary.

You will note that the Vice President will be in Tashkent for 3 days, and he suggests that if satisfactory and convenient for you you might make arrangements to meet him in that city.

The Vice President particularly desires that you tell the Soviet authorities that he will, of course, welcome any comment or suggestions, and make clear to them his desire that the visit be as informal as possible and in such a manner as will be most convenient for the Soviet authorities.

Hull
  1. The details of a preliminary itinerary in Siberia have been omitted. A revised itinerary was sent to Moscow in telegram 1142, May 8, 1944 (811.003–Wallace, Henry A./56½).
  2. Not printed; it indicated that only on April 20 had Vice President Wallace taken up with the Department the question of his visit, although some time before he had spoken informally to Ambassador Gromyko of the possibility of visiting in Siberia on his way to China.