BAS London This telegram must be closely paraphrased be- Dated July 15, 1942 fore being communicated to anyone. (MC) Rec'd 9:20 a.m. Secretary of State, Washington. TRIPLE PRIORITY 3908, July 15, 2 p.m. PERSONAL AND FOR THE PRESIDENT Maisky just came in to see me. He told me he had had a conference with the Prime Minister and Admiral Pound last night. Pound explained to him the losses suffered by the northern convoy and said he was opposed to continuing shipments over the northern route to Russia at this time. Maisky said he objected vigorously to this decision and was told by the Prime Minister and Pound that since many of our ships were involved the final decision would rest with us. Maisky further told me that both he and his naval adviser do not feel that the last convoy was adequately protected or skillfully handled. Maisky was critical of Pound as an aggressive naval officer. Maisky stated that he felt, at this time when Russia was under the greatest pressure and no apparent effort was being made here to establish a second front |