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 |