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Lt. Alison stationed in Archangel in an advisory 
capacity, to which Mr. Stalin replied affirmatively.
 
          Mr. Stalin stated that he would be glad if we 
would send any technicians that we could to the Soviet 
Union to help train his own airmen in the use of these 
planes. He stated that his own airmen would show us 
everything about the Russian equipment, which he 
stated we would find very interesting.
 
          He described at some length, but not in great 
detail as he did in the conference the next day, the 
planes which he had available. Mr. Stalin said the 
plane he needed particularly was the short-range bomber, 
capable of operating in a radius of 600 to l100 kilo-
metres, or with a total range of 1200 to 2200 kilometres.
 
          I asked Mr. Stalin what he thought was the best 
route to ship supplies from the United States to the 
Soviet Union. Mr. Stalin stated that the Persian Gulf-
Iranian route was not good because of the limited 
capacity of the Iranian railways and highways. He 
stated. Furthermore we do not yet know the view of the 
Iranian Government on this subject".
 
          Mr. Stalin stated that the Vlsdivostok route was 
not a favorable one. I emphasized the danger of its 
being cut off by the Japanese and Mr. Stalin in turn 
emphasized the great distance from. the scene of battle.
 
          Mr. Stalin believed that the Archangel route was 
probably the most practicable. Both Mr. Stalin and 
Mr. Molotov stated that the Archangel harbor could be 
kept open in the winter by the aid of ice breakers.