DES
This telegram must be
closely paraphrased be-            MOSCOW
fore being communicated
to anyone.  (SC)                   Dated August 15, 1941
                    
                              Rec'd 8:45 p.m.
Secretary of State,
     
     Washington.
 
     1511, August 15, 11 p.m.  (SECTION TWO)
 
     In so far as concerns the routing of material Stalin
 
expressed the view that Archangel affords a safer and 
 
quicker means of entry than Vladivostok not only because
 
of the possibility of complications with Japan resulting
 
from the use of the latter port beut because of the long
 
TranSiberian rail haul.
 
     Stalin's attitiude throughout the interview was ex-
 
tremely cordial.  At its close he took a final look at
 
his reply to the joint message which he had dictated and,
 
taking the document out of my hand he remarked, with a
 
smile "I think I should change comrade Stalin to Mr. Stalin'
 
which he thereupon did on both drafts.
 
     (END MESSAGE)
 
                    STEINHARDT
 
CSB