Truman Papers
No. 1278
President Truman to Generalissimo
Stalin
My Dear Generalissimo: It has become highly desirable because of increasing operations of naval and air forces adjacent to Japan and Siberia to augment the facilities for the collection and dissemination of weather information in Eastern Siberia. The increased services should be equally beneficial to the Soviet Union. Weather in the Japan and Japan Sea Area is affected not only by weather movement from West to East over Eastern Siberia but also by the movement associated with typhoons which pass from the Western Pacific northward over Japan.
It is considered that the above urgent needs can best be met through expansion of the United States communications net by providing equipment and liaison personnel for establishment of radio stations and weather controls at Khabarovsk and Petropavlovsk. United States personnel would consist of approximately 60 officers and men at Khabarovsk and 33 officers and men at Petropavlovsk. Details of this proposal have been previously communicated to the Soviet General Staff.
Because of the important bearing of weather on current and future operations, early accomplishment of these proposed improvements is most important. I, therefore, urge your approval and the issuance of the necessary instructions for the early completion of the detailed arrangements by our respective staffs.